On April 1, CalRecycle submitted a Budget Change Proposal to the State Legislature, requesting to spend $330 million in unredeemed beverage container deposits on a suite of projects to increase consumer access to recycling, increase refunds, and promote recycling.  In particular, the proposal seeks to spend: 

  • $70 million to support mobile recycling programs in rural and unserved areas. 

  • $100 million to deploy up to 2,000 reverse vending machines at high schools, colleges, and supermarkets. 

  • $50 million to improve quality of recycled plastic and glass beverage containers. 

  • $4 million in forgivable loans for new recycling infrastructure and redemption centers. 

  • $100 million to double the refund paid to consumers over a limited term of 4-8 weeks. 

 

RCRC expressed support for CalRecycle’s proposal to use surplus bottle bill revenues to improve consumer access to redemption opportunities, but suggested several modifications to significantly improve the effectiveness and equity of the proposal. 

With the closure of many certified recycling centers, “convenient” beverage container redemption opportunities do not exist for many Californians.  RCRC has continuously advocated for ensuring that it is as easy for consumers to get their deposits back as it is to pay them in the first place.  

While some of the proposals have merit and will increase access to redemption in rural and underserved areas, others are either misplaced or not cost-effective.  RCRC supports greater deployment of reverse vending machines but suggests that CalRecycle prioritize deployment in rural and underserved communities.  The administration’s proposal to deploy reverse vending machines on high school and college campuses misses the mark, as it is not clear the public will have access to those locations and there are likely greater needs for deployment in the host community. 

Similarly, RCRC expressed reservations about the Administration’s proposed temporary doubling of refund values.  While RCRC supports returning unredeemed deposits to consumers, the $100 million set aside for this purpose is only enough funding to last for a 4-8 week period.  Given the number of areas without access to redemption opportunities, this funding is nearly certain to be exhausted before many residents in rural and underserved areas have an opportunity to benefit from the allocation.   

CalRecycle’s proposal will be considered in the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees in the next month. RCRC’s letter is available here. For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy.