CA AB1454

Increases processing payments to certified recycling centers by up to 50% for the first 40,000 glass containers and 200,000 plastic containers claimed monthly through January 1, 2025, and provides an additional 10% payment increment for rural recycling centers.

Authorizes the department to certify bag drop redemption programs that accept unsorted beverage containers in consumer-identifiable bags, with refund values payable within 3 business days, and allows these programs to charge service fees for sorting costs.

Allows the department to designate regional convenience zones serving up to 5 adjacent unserved supermarket-based zones to create financially sustainable service areas for new recycling centers.

Establishes a startup loan program providing up to $50,000 for entities opening recycling centers in unserved or underserved areas, with full loan forgiveness after 36 months of continuous operation, and allocates $15,000,000 for this purpose.

Increases the minimum beverage container recycling goal from 80% to 85% overall and establishes a 75% minimum recycling goal for each container material type, and requires $5,000,000 annually for community conservation corps staffing and transportation services.