RECYCLING
RATE SURGES AS CALIFORNIANS REDEEM MORE BOTTLES AND CANS THAN EVER
BEFORE
SACRAMENTO - According to Department of Conservation statistics,
Californians recycled 5.8 billion California Refund Value bottles
and cans
from January to July, the highest six-month figure ever.
"Recycling bottles and cans is one of the many ways Californians
can express
their commitment to the state's environment and natural resources,"
said
California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman. "It's heartening
to see
recycling on the rise, and this should serve as a reminder to
everyone to
recycle where you live, work and play."
Numbers for the first half of 2004 show recycling is up for aluminum,
glass
and plastic beverage containers. If the trend continues, Californians
will
recycle more than one billion additional bottles and cans in 2004
than in
2003.
Overall, the recycling rate of CRV containers for the first six
months of
this year was 63 percent, up from 58 percent for the January-June
period
last year. By the end of 2003, the recycling rate had fallen to
55 percent,
the lowest annual rate since the CRV program began in 1987.
The increase in the recycling rate can be tied to a number of
things,
including a higher refund value that took effect in January 2004.
Ongoing
efforts by the Department of Conservation have resulted in greater
public
awareness of the need to recycle and better customer service at
thousands of
privately owned recycling centers in the state. Also, DOC funding
to cities
and counties and grants to a variety of entities have resulted
in more
recycling opportunities, and outreach efforts have increased recycling
at
private businesses like office buildings and restaurants.
More than 19 billion CRV bottles and cans will be sold in California
this
year. Containers that aren't recycled represent hundreds of millions
of
dollars in unclaimed CRV - cash that should go back into Californians'
pockets. In 2003, some eight billion bottles and cans were thrown
away,
worth an estimated $300 million in CRV.
In addition to the cash reclaimed through redemption, energy
is saved as
well: a single aluminum can, if recycled, saves enough electricity
to run a
television for nearly three hours.
Consumers and businesses can find nearby recycling centers by
calling
1-800-RECYCLE or visiting www.bottlesandcans.com and using the
zip
code-based recycling center locater. California Refund Value is
4 cents on
containers less than 24 ounces, 8 cents on containers 24 ounces
and larger.
Most beverages packaged in aluminum, glass and plastic, such
as soft drinks,
water, beer, sports drinks, juices and coffee and tea drinks,
are included
in the CRV program. Among the notable products not included in
the program
are milk, wine and distilled spirits. For a comprehensive list
of products
subject to CRV, visit http://www.conservation.ca.gov/DOR/CRVinOutList.pdf
All aspects of the state's beverage container recycling program
are paid for
with unclaimed refunds of CRV beverage containers, at no cost
to the state's
general fund.
In addition to promoting beverage container recycling, the Department
of
Conservation maps and studies earthquakes and other geologic phenomena;
classifies areas containing mineral deposits; ensures reclamation
of land
used for mining; regulates oil, gas and geothermal wells; and
administers
agricultural and open-space land conservation programs. For more
information
about DOC programs, visit www.conservation.ca.gov.
California Department of Conservation
Public Affairs Office
801 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-323-1886
