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Sacramento, CA –
Billions of glass bottles once filled
with beer and other cold drinks are
leaving more than a trail of quenched
thirst in California. Many are beating a
regrettable path to trash bins when they
could instead be recycled to save
energy, natural resources and money.
In 2002 alone, Californians bought an
estimated 2.7 billion bottles of beer
and 700 million other beverages sold in
glass containers. But according to
research released today by the
California Department of Conservation,
almost half of these glass bottles are
going into garbage cans instead of
recycling bins each day. Over the course
of a year, that amounts to more than 1.6
billion bottles.
Recycling glass beverage containers
carries significant monetary incentives
for consumers and businesses alike. The
bottles trashed each year are worth more
than $70 million in unclaimed California
Refund Value (CRV) deposits.
In response to this situation, the state
Department of Conservation wants to
raise awareness about the loss of glass
and to encourage bars and restaurants to
implement recycling programs. Businesses
stand to collectively save millions of
dollars on waste hauling bills by having
their bottles taken to recycling centers
instead of local dumps.
“Glass has always been on the cutting
edge of recycling,” said Darryl Young,
director of the DOC. “Recycling glass
bottles is a great opportunity for
California’s bars and restaurants. Not
only is it a positive reflection on
companies to take an active role in
helping the environment, but it can also
help with the bottom line, add to
employee benefits or create more jobs.”
Since glass can be recycled over and
over again, 1.6 billion bottles also
represent a significant conservation of
energy and raw materials. If recycled,
they would save the equivalent of 10
million gallons of gas, or 112 million
kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to
power 8,500 Los Angeles homes for 12
months, according to DOC calculations
based on the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Waste Reduction Model.
“Beer drinkers have long been told to
‘drink responsibly’,” said Young.
“Restaurants and bars think it’s a good
idea to recycle responsibly, too.”
DOC has created a special CRV calculator
on its Web site,
www.bottlesandcans.com, which allows
businesses to determine how much of the
$70 million in CRV could be theirs if
they recycle. Additionally, the
calculator can show bars and restaurants
how much money they might be able to
save off their waste-hauling bill.
With its new glass recycling effort, DOC
will reach out to bars and restaurants
statewide. Through a relationship with
the California Restaurant Association,
DOC is working to educate the
organization’s members on how to
implement recycling programs
successfully. Representatives from the
DOC Division of Recycling will be
available to help guide bars,
restaurants and other businesses in
setting up recycling for their employees
and customers.
Beverage manufacturers such as
Anheuser-Busch, Coors Brewing Company
and Miller Brewing Company have also
voiced their support for glass
recycling. Joining them is glass
manufacturer Owens-Illinois and the
Glass Packaging Institute, noting that a
reliable stream of clean, recycled glass
is important in the production of new
glass bottles in California.
Consumers and businesses can find nearby
recycling centers by calling
1-800-RECYCLE or visiting
www.bottlesandcans.com and using the
recycling center locater by zip code.
California Refund Value is 4 cents on
containers less than 24 ounces, 8 cents
on containers 24 ounces and larger. Many
beverages commonly packaged in glass,
such as beer, sports drinks, juices and
coffee and tea drinks, are included in
the CRV program, as are many drinks that
come in aluminum and plastic containers.
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
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.
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