About 1.6BN glass beverage containers land in trash bins each year in California, according to California Department of Conservation (DOC) Sacramento. This represents about 50% of bottles emptied by consumers, equals more than $70M in unclaimed California Refund Value (CRV) deposits. To raise recycling rate, DOC works with California Restaurant Association to teach members how to implement recycling programs. Calculator on DOC website, www.bottlesandcans.com - helps businesses estimate how much recycling could generate in CRV deposit returns, waste disposal cost reductions. Agency estimates recycling 1.6BN bottles would save the equivalent of 10M gallons/gas, or 112M kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to power 8,500 Los Angeles homes for 12 months. (whole item)
