Sometimes you may see people looking through your recycling or trash bins. They may be looking for California Redemption Value (CRV) materials, like soda cans and water bottles. However, removing materials from waste bins is a violation of Davis Municipal Code Section 32.01.060.

Why is the theft of recyclables a problem?

Recycling theft causes a number of problems.

• Recyclables may end up in the trash. In searching through recycling bins to find CRV containers, sometimes recyclables are moved from the recycling bins to the trash (or even the organics cart), contaminating the bins and leading to the disposal of recyclable materials in the landfill.
• Increased litter. Sometimes trash and recyclables are spilled out on the ground, contributing to litter problems.
• Identity theft. When someone is looking through trash and recycling bins, they have access to any mail and documents you have discarded. Always be sure to shred any documents with sensitive information before recycling or disposing of them. Recology does offer free shredding events twice a year. Visit the Recology website for details: https://www.recology.com/recology-davis/

Theft of recyclables isn’t just a problem here in Davis. It’s an issue throughout California, which is why Assembly Bill (AB) 1778 was passed, requiring scrap yards that buy $100 or more of CRV bottles and cans or $50 or more of newsprint to document transactions and to pay for these materials by check. AB 1778 is designed to reduce organized recycling theft in California.

Locally, stealing recyclables is a violation of Davis Municipal Code 32.01.060. Violators may be prosecuted and are subject to a fine. 

What can you do to prevent the theft of recyclables from your waste bins?

To help avoid recycling theft, try these tips:

• Keep CRV out of your recycling cart
  • Cash in your CRV. You may be setting out $6 or more worth of CRV containers in your recycling cart each week when you roll it to the curb for collection. You can recycle those CRV bottles and cans for money at the location  listed below in Davis. You can keep the money or choose to donate it to a local charity.
    • Recology Davis Recycling Center, 2727 2nd Street 530-756-4646 Redemption Center Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Donate your CRV. You can also donate your CRV bottles and cans to a local charity that collects CRV as a fundraiser.
  • Drop-off your CRV for recycling. You can bring your CRV bottles and cans directly to the Recology Davis Recycling Center at 2727 2nd Street for 24/7 recycling drop-off.
  • Set your cart out in the morning. Most waste bins are rummaged through at night or very early in the morning. Setting your recycling carts out on the curb the morning of your scheduled pick-up instead of the night before makes it harder for anyone to get to your cart before it’s emptied. Just make sure your cart is at the curb before 7:00 a.m. so you don’t miss the recycling truck.

SEE IT, HEAR IT, REPORT IT!

If you see someone removing recyclables from a cart or bin, get the license plate number of the vehicle and a detailed description of the individual and call the City of Davis non-emergency Police Department number (530-747-5400) to report the crime. Recycling theft is an infraction with fines up to $500 ($100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $500 for the third and any subsequent offenses). If you have a picture of the vehicle or person, you can submit the picture via the online service request system or the My Davis app.