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Bay Curious
Is Our Bottle Recycling System Garbage?
Sep 21, 2023
"Bay Curious" explores the challenges of California's bottle recycling system and why most people never get their deposits back. The podcast investigates the lack of redemption centers in the Bay Area and the difficulties Californians face in returning recyclable beverage containers. It discusses the broken bottle deposit system and potential solutions to improve it. Additionally, the podcast explores the effectiveness of bottle bills in reducing litter and the role of the Beverage Container Fund. Overall, it sheds light on the financial aspects of recycling and highlights the need for better accessibility to redemption centers.
23:44
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Quick takeaways
- California's bottle recycling system is broken, with over 40% of redemption centers closing since 2013, making it difficult for people to redeem their bottles and cans.
- Efforts are being made to improve the system, including a pilot program to test new ways to recycle and redeem bottles and cans, and a new law starting in 2025 that holds large grocery stores accountable for redemption and grants to create more redemption centers.
Deep dives
The Recycling System and Bottle Bill
The podcast explores the California bottle bill, which requires consumers to pay five to ten cents extra for beverages with CRV engraved on the lid or label. The system is designed to encourage recycling by offering a refund when the empty bottles and cans are returned. However, not all containers are redeemed, and unclaimed deposits go into the state-owned Beverage Container Fund. The fund, accumulating $672 million, is supposed to be used for creating more recycling opportunities and funding the program. California is the only state where waste hauling companies are paid twice for recycling items placed in blue bins, leading to consumer advocates criticizing the system as broken.
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Discover
highlights
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