Beverage containers.

The California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act requires every beverage container sold or offered for sale in this state to have a minimum refund value. Under the act, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery is required to calculate a processing fee for each beverage container with a specified scrap value, which is required to be paid by beverage manufacturers for each beverage container sold or transferred to a distributor or dealer, and requires a processor to pay a certified recycling center or other program the refund value, a percentage of the refund value for administrative costs, and the processing payment. The act provides that a violation of the act or a regulation adopted pursuant to the act is a crime. This bill would require a processor to make those payments by check or electronic fund transfer, and not by cash payment. By increasing the scope of a crime relating to beverage containers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires each glass container manufacturer to use a minimum percentage of 35% of postfilled glass in the manufacturing of its glass food, drink, or beverage containers, except as specified. This bill would require the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to study and develop a system or process to address the issue of glass contamination to improve the quality of glass material collected. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.