Beverage container recycling rates have reached their highest levels ever, thanks in part to an increase in redemption value formulated by last session's CAW-sponsored AB 3056 (Hancock). The latest figures from the California Department of Conservation's shows that the beverage container recycling rate has jumped to 71% (press release). Over 6.9 billion beverage containers were recycled, which is more than 800 million more than during the same period in 2006. This equates to an emission prevention of 293 metric tons of green house gasses annually!

For material specific recycling rates, aluminum was the highest with 83% in 2007. Glass had a recycling rate of 71%, with #2 HDPE plastic at 70% and #1 PET plastic at 58%, all drastic increases from the same time a year ago.

CAW estimates that these new recycling rates will result in the recycling of about 125,000 tons of Aluminum, 170,000 tons of PET, and 615,000 tons of glass in 2007. All together, increased redemption values will result in the recycling of nearly 1,000,000 tons of materials in 2007!

More Recycling Rates:

• Beverage Container Recycling Rates, 1989-2007