What Is a CRV Fee and How Does It Work?

The California Redemption Value (CRV) is a fee applied to certain beverage containers at purchase. This statewide program encourages consumers to recycle their empty containers, aiming to reduce litter and support recycling efforts by providing a financial incentive.

Understanding the California Redemption Value (CRV)

The CRV is the amount paid by consumers when purchasing eligible beverages, refunded when the empty container is returned to a certified recycling center. Its purpose is to incentivize recycling and mitigate litter across the state.

The CRV is a refundable deposit or fee, not a tax. When a consumer returns an empty, eligible container, they receive the CRV amount back. Standard CRV rates are 5 cents for containers under 24 fluid ounces and 10 cents for containers 24 fluid ounces or larger. Beginning January 1, 2024, certain wine boxes, pouches, and bladders became eligible for a 25-cent CRV.

Containers Subject to CRV

The CRV fee applies to a broad range of beverage containers made from aluminum, glass, plastic, and bi-metal. Common beverages subject to CRV include carbonated and noncarbonated water, soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, coffee and tea beverages, and beer. Additionally, 100% fruit juice in containers smaller than 46 fluid ounces and vegetable juice in containers smaller than 16 fluid ounces are included.

Recent changes effective January 1, 2024, expanded CRV eligibility to include wine and distilled spirits, as well as wine coolers and distilled spirit coolers, when packaged in glass, plastic, aluminum, bi-metal, boxes, bladders, or pouches. Exempt beverages include milk (white or flavored), medical food, and infant formula. Other common exceptions include 100% fruit juice in containers 46 fluid ounces or larger and vegetable juice in containers 16 fluid ounces or larger.

The Redemption Process

To redeem CRV, consumers must return their empty, eligible beverage containers to a certified recycling center. It is recommended to empty and rinse containers before bringing them in to ensure they are clean. Eligible containers are typically marked with labels like “CA CRV” or “California Cash Refund”.

Consumers have the option to be paid by count or by weight for their returned containers. For quantities up to 50 containers of each material type (e.g., 50 aluminum, 50 plastic, 50 glass), consumers have the right to request payment by count, receiving the exact CRV amount per container. For larger quantities or when preferred, recycling centers may pay by weight, using established per-pound rates.