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CRV is money you can get back in California when you return certain beverage containers for recycling. This guide explains what CRV means, how much you get, and what to do before you bring containers to a certified recycling center.

What does CRV stand for

CRV stands for California Refund Value (sometimes shown as California Redemption Value, CA CASH REFUND, CA CRV).
If you see that message on a bottle, can, or other beverage container, it usually means the container is eligible for a cash refund at a certified recycling center.

Why CRV exists in California

California has a state recycling program meant to reduce waste and litter. The law requires that certain beverage containers sold in California include a small recycling fee. When you return the container, that fee is paid back to you as a refund.

A local example from South Gate also points out that plastic bottles can take a very long time to break down (for example, up to 700 years), so getting people to recycle helps protect the environment.

Current CRV refund rates in California

Here are the commonly listed CRV rates for eligible containers based on size:

Container size Refund rate
Less than 24 oz $0.05 per container
24 oz or larger $0.10 per container

Starting January 1, 2024 for some packaged wine and distilled spirits

For wine and distilled spirits sold in boxes, bladders, and pouches, the starting rate is:

Beverage type and packaging Refund rate starting Jan 1, 2024
Wine sold in boxes, bladders, pouches $0.25 per container
Distilled spirits sold in boxes, bladders, pouches $0.25 per container
Wine and Distilled Spirit Coolers in boxes, bladders, pouches $0.25 per container

What containers are eligible for CRV

Eligible CRV beverage containers are typically made of plastic, aluminum, glass, or bimetal and match the program rules.

Generally accepted for CRV

South Gate’s program page lists these as eligible:

  • Water bottle
  • Soda cans and bottle
  • Fruit drink bottle
  • 100% fruit juice bottle under 46 oz
  • Vegetable juice bottle 16 oz or less
  • Sports drink bottle
  • Coffee and tea drink bottle
  • Beer and malt drink bottle
  • Wine cooler bottle

Generally not eligible for CRV

South Gate’s page lists examples of not eligible containers:

  • Milk jug
  • Infant formula bottle
  • Medical food bottle
  • 100% fruit juice 46 oz or more
  • 100% vegetable juice over 16 oz
  • Wine bottle
  • Distilled spirit bottle
  • Food and non-beverage containers

Tip for real life: the label matters. Many eligible items show the CA CRV / CA CASH REFUND / CA Redemption Value message.

How CRV is collected and where it comes from

Imagine you buy a drink at the store. You pay a normal price—plus an extra fee for recycling called the CRV fee. That value is added to the price of certain beverages at checkout.

When you bring your eligible empty containers to a certified recycling center, you get the CRV refund back.

Also important: if CRV containers go into curbside or public recycling bins, the CRV is claimed by the entity that collects them—not by you.

Benefits of recycling CRV-eligible containers

Recycling helps in several ways:

  • Conserves resources (materials can be reused instead of being made from scratch)
  • Saves energy
  • Helps reduce waste going to landfills
  • Reduces emissions linked to making new materials

One South Gate page also gives a concrete example: recycling aluminum can save about 95% of the energy used to make cans from raw materials.

What to do before you bring containers to redemption

This is where many people get frustrated. You might think “empty is empty,” but contamination can reduce what a center pays.

A simple prep checklist

Before you go, make sure your CRV containers are:

  1. Empty
  2. Clean
  3. Dry
  4. Unbroken (not cracked)
  5. Not mixed with trash

South Gate also advises keeping labels on the containers, and grouping similar items (for example, separating plastic bottles from aluminum cans).

Call ahead for local rules

Centers can have different preferences (for example, whether they want items crushed or not). Because of changing operations, the safest move is to call ahead before bringing a pile.

How redemption works at certified recycling centers

When you arrive with CRV-eligible containers, a certified recycling center processes them. Depending on the center’s rules, refunds may be calculated:

  • by container count, or
  • by weight (per pound)

Limits on what you can bring at once

South Gate notes a limit of 50 containers per material type.

Can you get less than the standard refund

Yes. Certified centers may pay less than the usual refund if they find contamination like dirt, excess liquid, or other substances. That can change the effective value because the extra material adds weight.

COVID-19 impact on CRV redemption

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses had reduced operations or closures. Redemption opportunities continued only as much as retailers and recycling centers could operate safely under health guidelines and physical distancing rules.

A practical takeaway from the public guidance: CRV containers kept their value, but people were encouraged to call ahead because center hours and procedures could change.

Where to find certified recycling centers

Find a center in South Gate

South Gate lists three beverage container recycling facilities within the city:

Facility Address Phone
Evolution Recycling Inc. #15 8116 California Avenue, South Gate, CA 90280 (818) 427-8256
Ecology Recycling 9309 Rayo Avenue, South Gate, CA 90280 (323) 500-1187
Lucky 7 Recycling 13307 Paramount Boulevard, South Gate, CA 90280 (323) 443-7143

To find other locations, South Gate points residents to CalRecycle’s beverage container recycling program locator (and a phone help line is also referenced).

Quick step-by-step guide

flowchart TD
A[Collect eligible CRV containers] --> B[Check label for CA CRV/CA CASH REFUND]
B --> C[Empty, clean, dry, unbroken]
C --> D[Separate by type if needed]
D --> E[Bring to certified recycling center]
E --> F[Center calculates refund (count or weight)]
F --> G[Get CRV cash refund]

Learn the 4 R’s with CRV

Many recycling education materials connect CRV to the 4 R’s of waste reduction:

4 R What it means
Rethink Choose actions that create less waste
Reduce Use less packaging when possible
Reuse Use items again (for example, a reusable water bottle)
Recycle Recycle what you cannot reuse

Family-friendly activities and challenges

If you want a practical way to build a habit, try one of these:

  • Sorting challenge
    Make it a weekly task: sort containers that are eligible vs. not eligible, then redeem the eligible pile.
  • Neighborhood clean-up
    During a walk, pick up litter, then recycle CRV containers you find (and throw away what isn’t eligible).
  • School or classroom recycling competition
    Teams collect beverage containers and compete to bring the most eligible CRV items for redemption.

Online learning resources and games for children

CalRecycle offers education activities connected to beverage container recycling, including game-style learning for younger grades. Another example referenced for learning the 4 R’s is the EPA “Recycle City” games (aimed at elementary students).

DIY repurposing for containers that aren’t eligible

Not all beverage containers qualify for CRV, but they can still get a second life. South Gate suggests simple crafts such as:

  • Bird feeder from a plastic bottle
  • Planter using a plastic bottle with soil and seeds

The bigger picture in one sentence

CRV is California’s way of paying you back for recycling eligible beverage containers, helping keep valuable materials out of trash and out of landfills.