California Redemption Value (CRV) Fee

A new California law adds a 10 cents ($0.10) bottle fee to shelf-stable 64-ounce bottles of juice.

• Starting January 1, 2024, a new California law will require that a ten cents ($0.10) California Redemption Value (CRV) fee is added to each purchase of shelf-stable 64 oz bottles of juice.

• When using WIC benefits to purchase juice, this fee will need to be paid by the WIC shopper. This fee cannot be covered by the WIC program.

• Families can receive CRV refunds when they redeem containers at a recycling center. Find a nearby recycling center here.

• This new law encourages recycling and helps to keep our environment clean. Recycling your clean, empty juice bottles can make a big difference to our environment. In 2022, 19.6 billion bottles and cans were returned to recycling centers in California. Recycling bottles and cans helps keep streets cleaner and less waste in landfills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is a CRV Fee?+

  When shoppers buy certain beverages, they pay a California Redemption Value or CRV fee. Shoppers can get CRV refunds by returning clean, empty containers to recycling centers.

  A new California law has made changes to the container types that can be charged the CRV fee. Now, all containers of 100% fruit juice and vegetable juice are included.

• Does this new CRV juice bottle fee apply to all WIC juice containers?+

  This new fee applies only to shelf-stable juice sold in bottles. This fee does not apply to frozen or shelf-stable concentrate juice.

• When do I have to pay this CRV juice bottle fee?+

  You must pay the CRV juice bottle fee to the WIC authorized store at the time you buy any 64 oz bottle of juice. The ten cents ($0.10) fee will be added to each 64 oz bottle of juice you buy.

• How can I get a refund for this CRV juice bottle fee?+

  You can take your clean, empty bottles to a recycling center for a refund of the deposit fee you paid when you purchased your WIC juice.

  Visit the CalRecyle website for a list of recycling centers.

• Will the juice bottles have the new fee information on the label?+

  You may not always see the 10 cents ($0.10) fee on the bottled juice labels. Bottles filled and labeled before July 1, 2024, are not required to have the $0.10 fee printed on the label.

  However, all bottled juice will have a $0.10 fee starting January 1, 2024, even without labeling.

• Who can I talk to if I have questions about this new juice bottle fee?+

  Contact your WIC local office for more information. Find your local WIC office here: WIC Office Search.

  You can also contact the CDPH WIC Division State Office:

  • Email: WIC@cdph.ca.gov
  • Call toll free: (800) 852-5770

Helpful Resources

• CalRecycle Home
• Beverage Container Recycling
• Find a Nearby Recycling Center

Page Last Updated: December 21, 2023