CA AB2718

Defines "unserved convenience zone" as an area without an operational certified recycling center or compliant alternative location.

Allows certified recycling center operators in unserved convenience zones to operate for 20-30 hours per week instead of the standard 30+ hours if the zone has been unserved for at least 6 continuous months.

Makes dealers certified by the department and located in unserved convenience zones eligible to receive handling fees and payments if they redeem beverage containers in-store, equivalent to recycling center treatment.

Removes prior provisions that would have suspended dealer redemption obligations in unserved zones until December 31, 2011, and required reducing unserved zones to less than 5 percent by January 1, 2012.

Makes an appropriation from the California Beverage Container Recycling Fund to cover handling fee payments to eligible dealers and recycling centers.