Recycling Tips and Living Green
Recycling Tip
Did you know California's Beverage Container Recycling Program has a one-stop shop for official notices regarding California’s beverage container recycling program? You’ll find Frequently Asked Questions regarding the latest legislation, information for recycling centers, curbside operators and other collection programs, statistics, and a host of other information affecting beverage manufacturers, dealers, retailers and recyclers. Just visit our website.
Recycling Tip
Can recycling centers pay less than the refund value for CRV beverage containers?
Yes, if the material is contaminated. Operators of certified recycling centers must inspect each load of containers to determine whether it is eligible for CRV. Recycling centers have the option to refuse to accept containers which, in their opinion, are excessively contaminated with dirt, moisture, or other foreign substances. Alternatively, recycling centers may adjust downward the CRV per pound used to calculate the payment by the ratio of such substances to empty beverage containers. In this circumstance, the consumer has the right to accept the discounted refund and/or scrap price, to separate refund from nonrefund material, or to take back the material.
Every beverage container that gets recycled is a victory. But some people go further than others to help all those bottles and cans move on to their next stage in life. Read about these recycling success stories. Or send your own to recyclinginfo@calrecycle.ca.gov.
Vista Murrieta High School Band Turns Bottles and Cans into Cash
Vista Murrieta High School’s 250-member marching band is collecting bottles and cans to raise money for the Bands of America Grand Nationals Championship in November. The high school students hold recycling days for the entire student body to bring beverage containers to the school. The California Refund Value (CRV) beverage containers are collected daily in bins provided by the DOC.
Each month, band members report their earnings from the recycled materials. They hope to raise a total of $300,000 for the Grand Nationals, held in Indiana.
“The band is making headway toward Grand Nationals as a group and individually,” said Cynthia Oshiro, Vista Murrieta High School parent. Oshiro’s daughter, Veronica, has already raised approximately a third of her goal to reach $1,200. Veronica hopes to pay for her trip as well as the annual band fees with the collected CRV materials.
Veronica’s interest in recycling has also inspired her to make items from recycled materials and sell them to raise additional funds.
Anyone interested in setting up a beverage container recycling program in their area can contact a recycling representative at 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com.
Local Software Company Brings Recycling Into the Office
DOC Information and Iconic Bins Aid Recycling Program
Employees at Amdocs, a customer service software company, have dedicated themselves to a new, green program that concentrates on recycling. Their goal is to create a more environmentally conscious company culture. The employees will recycle beverage containers and donate the collected California Refund Value to several local charities that focus on children at risk throughout El Dorado Hills.
“Amdocs employees are concerned with a clean environment and saving energy,” says Bill McArthur, Mail Center Coordinator. “Everyone here at Amdocs has a positive feeling towards this program, and a willingness to participate because of the Charities involved.”
The Beverage Container Recycling Center has aided Amdocs’ green program by providing recycling bins for beverage containers and information on managing an environmentally friendly office.
“The Beverage Container Recycling Center sent a packet of very useful information of what to recycle for cash and tips on how to make our company operate greener,” McArthur said. With the help of the Beverage Container Recycling Center, Amdocs hopes to continue looking for more ways to recycle and improve its program.
Already, several recycling bins are placed throughout the office building so that Amdocs employees can recycle bottles, cans, paper and batteries that are collected on a weekly basis.
All CRV proceeds support the charities Big Brothers and Big Sisters, The Sacramento Receiving Home for Children, and A Christmas Promise.
Anyone interested in setting up a beverage container recycling program in their area can contact a recycling representative at 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com.
Recycle 4 Revival Earns Cash from Bottles and Cans
Non-profit Organization Recycles to Send Youth on Global Mission Trips
Youth on a Mission, a non-profit organization in Corona, launched a beverage container recycling program to raise California Refund Value (CRV) to fund a global mission trip to El Salvador this past summer.
The recycling program, Recycle 4 Revival, began in March of this year to raise money and implement the organization's overall goal of educating members about the environment. Youth on a Mission members supplied recycling bins to local businesses, sports venues and special events to collect CRV bottles and cans. The youth were responsible for managing and collecting the beverage containers and redeeming them at recycling centers.
"We couldn't do it without the bins, flyers and posters that were supplied by the Beverage Container Recycling Center," said Anthony Saude, Youth on a Mission director. "The recycling program helped our members raise money to assist those in need."
Recycle 4 Revival raised $500 in four months to cover travel costs for the students.
Anyone interested in setting up a beverage container recycling program in their area can contact a recycling representative at 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com.
CRV Helps Kids with Cancer
Green-4-Kids, a non-profit organization managed by 22 high school seniors at Valley Torah High School, started a bottle and can recycling program to raise funds for young cancer patients.
The high school students spend every Saturday walking to businesses and homes in Valley Village, west of Burbank, to collect the materials and encourage new residents to participate.
Local households and businesses have the option to sign up online to have their beverage containers picked up by the students. Ten restaurants in Valley Village have already partnered with the non-profit organization.
The students have raised over $5,600 in California Refund Value (CRV) so far. Their goal is to raise $20,000 to buy presents and host a holiday party at the children’s hospitals.
Anyone interested in setting up a beverage container recycling program in their area can contact a recycling representative at 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com.
More information about the Green-4-Kids program is available at www.green-4-kids.com.