California's CRV collection grows.

According to figures from the California Department of Conservation (DOC), Californians recycled 5.8 billion California Refund Value (CRV) bottles and cans from January to July 2004, the highest six-month figure ever.

Numbers for the first half of 2004 show that recycling is up for aluminum, glass and plastic beverage containers. If the trend continues, Californians will have recycled more than 1 billion additional bottles and cans in 2004 than in 2003, according to the DOC.

Overall, the recycling rate of CRV containers for the first six months of 2004 was 63 percent, up from 58 percent for the same period in 2003. By the end of 2003, the recycling rate had fallen to 55 percent, the lowest annual rate since the CRV program began in 1987.

The CRV program includes most beverages packaged in aluminum, glass and plastic, such as soft drinks, water, beer, sports drinks, juices and coffee and tea drinks. It excludes milk, wine and liquor.

The DOC credits the increase in the recycling rate to the higher refund value (4 cents on containers less than 24 ounces, 8 cents on containers

24 ounces and larger) that took effect in January 2004, its efforts to increase public awareness and better customer service at thousands of privately owned recycling centers in the state. Also, the DOC says its funding to cities and counties have resulted in more recycling opportunities, while outreach efforts have increased recycling at private businesses.

All aspects of California's beverage container recycling program are paid for with unclaimed refunds of CRV beverage containers at no cost to the state's general fund.