Dive Brief:

• Residents in California had previously been allowed to bring non-CRV containers for a small refund.
• The law changed the co-mingling per pound payment rate, which has now been eliminated.
• Speculation as to the ramifications of the new law include increased panhandling and more petty crimes as those who are homeless had used the refund from CRV containers for extra cash.

Dive Insight:

Recycling facilities will not issue refunds for milk jugs, wine bottles and food containers. Another change implemented is that curbside recycling in Bakersfield, California has further reduced the amount of recyclables the homeless are able to collect.