California: Is there a bottle deposit?
California charges a refundable California Redemption Value (CRV) of 5 or 10 cents on most beverage containers.
Containers under 24 ounces carry a 5-cent CRV and containers of 24 ounces or more carry 10 cents. Wine and liquor were added to the program, and since January 1, 2024, wine or spirits in boxes, bladders and pouches carry 25 cents. Larger fruit juice and vegetable juice containers were also added in 2024. Milk, infant formula and medical food are not covered.
Conditions
- 5 cents for containers under 24 oz
- 10 cents for containers 24 oz or more
- 25 cents for wine or spirits in boxes, bladders or pouches (since Jan. 1, 2024)
- Milk, infant formula and medical food excluded
What the law says
(A) The amount of the redemption payment and refund value for a beverage container with a capacity of less than 24 fluid ounces sold or offered for sale in the state by a dealer shall equal five cents ($0.05), and the amount of redemption payment and refund value for a beverage container with a capacity of 24 fluid ounces or more shall be ten cents ($0.10), if the aggregate recycling rate reported pursuant to Section 14551 for all beverage containers subject to this division is less than 75 percent for the 12-month reporting period from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2006, or for any calendar year thereafter.
Sources
- Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 14560 (California Legislative Information) Official · leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 14560 (FindLaw) Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- CalRecycle: Beverage Container Recycling Official · calrecycle.ca.gov
- CalRecycle: Consumer information (CRV amounts) Official · calrecycle.ca.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- CalRecycle (California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery)
- Phone
- 1-800-RECYCLE
- Website
- calrecycle.ca.gov
How bordering states compare
- Arizona No bottle depositArizona has no bottle deposit law, so shoppers pay no refundable deposit on cans or bottles.
- Nevada No bottle depositNevada has no bottle deposit law; drink containers carry no refundable deposit.
- Oregon Bottle deposit lawYes. Oregon's Bottle Bill, the nation's first, puts a 10-cent deposit on most beverage cans and bottles.
All 50 states for this question · Other topics in California