AB 2779 (Irwin)

OVERVIEW

AB 2779 would expand the state’s Beverage Container Recycling Program (Bottle Bill) to include wine and distilled spirits sold in aluminum beverage containers.

THE PROBLEM

Spirits and wine packaged in aluminum cans have been sold for several years, but the sale of these products has drastically increased over the past 3 years. California’s Bottle Bill does not include canned wine or distilled spirits. By excluding these beverages, California is missing an opportunity to reclaim a growing segment of disposable aluminum cans entering the waste system.

This exclusion also creates consumer confusion when determining what products are recyclable under the program, especially as the packaging of these products are nearly identical to other CRV eligible beverages. Adding distilled spirits and wine beverages packaged in single-serve aluminum cans to the Bottle Bill is a logical step to ease consumer confusion. This will also ensure California is tracking the recycling rates of all aluminum beverage cans entering the marketplace.

Position: Supported by Californians Against Waste
Contact: Mark Murray & Clara Vazeix

BILL SUMMARY

AB 2779 would add wine sold in aluminum beverage containers and distilled spirits sold in aluminum beverage containers to the list of eligible beverage products for California’s CRV program. This expansion is a significant step to incentivize the recycling of all aluminum beverage cans and ensure California is accurately tracking the recycling rates of these products within the state.

Status: Held
Current language, analysis, and votes: AB 2779