Did you know that every time you buy a beverage in California, you’re paying a little extra that you can get back? It’s called the California Redemption Value (CRV), and it’s a simple way to earn cash while helping the environment.

CRV stands for California Redemption Value. When you purchase a beverage, you pay an additional 5 cents for containers less than 24 ounces and 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or larger. This deposit incentivizes recycling and reduces litter.

  1. Collect Eligible Containers: Gather empty beverage containers labeled with “CA CRV” or “California Redemption Value.” This includes most aluminum, glass, and plastic bottles and cans.
  2. Find a Recycling Center: Use CalRecycle’s Recycling Center Locator to find a center near you.
  3. Redeem for Cash: Take your containers to the center, where you’ll receive 5 or 10 cents per container, depending on its size.
  • Financial Reward: Get back the deposit you paid at purchase.
  • Environmental Impact: Recycling reduces waste in landfills and conserves resources.
  • Community Contribution: Supports California’s recycling programs and reduces litter.

Next time you finish a drink, remember that empty container is worth money. Collect your CRV-eligible bottles and cans, take them to a recycling center, and enjoy the extra cash while making a positive impact on the environment.