Information on CRV
What is CRV?
CRV, or California Redemption Value, is a cash fee that consumers pay for each beverage container made from Aluminum, Plastic, or Glass. Enacted in 1987, this program collects 5 cents for containers less than 24 ounces and 10 cents for containers over 24 ounces. This money is used to encourage recycling of beverage containers and is administered by the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Consumers can return their empty bottles and cans to certified recycling centers. Today, over 80% of all beverage containers bought in California are recycled and CRV is returned to California residents that recycle! More than 300 billion beverage containers have been recycled since the creation of the CRV program.
Can I receive my full CRV back?
Yes! Quantities of Aluminum, Glass, and Plastic less than 50 containers each (50 Aluminum, 50 Glass, 50 Plastic) can be refunded on a per-item basis. The refund value is the same as the CRV collected on each container when you purchase a beverage. If you have more than 50 of each container, the refund is determined by the weight of the empty containers.
What do I look for to see if CRV is collected?
Look for the following phrases on the side of your containers.
Beverage Containers List of CRV Eligible and non-CRV Eligible.
Look for bottles and cans labeled with the terms "CA Cash Refund," "CA CRV," or "CA Redemption Value." These items are CRV eligible and can be turned in for their refund value.
Remember! Just because a container is non-CRV eligible does not mean it is not recyclable. For a list of recyclable containers, view our Recyclable/Blue Waste guides in the Residential or Business Guides.
CRV Eligible
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Non-CRV Eligible
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| Carbonated and Non-Carbonated soft drinks |
Wine Bottles |
 
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| Vegetable Juice 16 oz or less |
Distilled Spirits |
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| Beer/Malt Beverages |
Milk |
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| Wine Coolers/ Distilled Spirit Coolers |
Food (Medical or regular) |
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| Carbonated and Non-Carbonated fruit drinks |
Infant Formula |
 
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| Carbonated and Non-Carbonated water |
100% Fruit juice containers 46 oz or more |
 
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| Coffee and Tea Beverages |
100% Vegetable juice containers 16 oz or more |
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| "Sports" and Energy Drinks |
Pouch containers |
 
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Non California or Out of State Containers
Where is the nearest Recycling Center?
For a list of the over 70 locations throughout the County of Fresno and its 15 cities, click the icons below to find the nearest to you!
(PDF, 5MB) 
For more information, you may contact the Resources Division of Public Works and Planning by email at recycling@fresnocountyca.gov or by phone at (559) 600-4259.