REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 19, 2026
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Solid Waste Management
SUBJECT
Title
Funding From the California Department of Recycling Resources and Recovery of Recycling and Litter Abatement
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Accept California Department of Recycling Resources and Recovery Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program funding for beverage container recycling and litter abatement activities for the 2025-26 Funding Request Cycle, in the amount of $73,861, to be spent during the period of January 16, 2026 through January 5, 2028.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). If approved, the item will authorize the Department of Public Works - Solid Waste Management (SWMD) to accept $73,861 from the 2025-26 California Department of Recycling Resources and Recovery (CalRecycle) Funding Request Cycle. SWMD is not required to provide any matching funds in order to accept these program funds. This revenue may be used for beverage container recycling and litter abatement activities during the period of January 16, 2026 through January 5, 2028. Any funds not spent by January 5, 2028, must be returned to CalRecycle. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the SWMD 2025-26 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CalRecycle’s Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program (Program) offers annual funding from California Redemption Value (CRV) container deposits to eligible cities and counties specifically for beverage container recycling and litter cleanup activities. This funding will be used for the purchase and placement of new recycling containers and/or to enhance existing recycling programs, litter abatement, advertisement, the development of recycling educational materials, and public education. Locations for new recycling containers are not pre-determined. SWMD works with various entities, including County Regional Parks and unincorporated area parks, schools, large venues, and campgrounds, to assist with the CRV beverage container recycling program to determine the type and quantity of recycling containers needed. SWMD solicits quotes from various vendors, and once a vendor is selected, SWMD uses these program funds to purchase containers, which are then delivered by the vendor.
The funding from CalRecycle will allow SWMD to maintain and expand beverage container recycling and litter abatement activities in the County to help meet statewide recycling requirements. Such compliance furthers the countywide vision and allows SWMD to operate in a fiscally-responsible and business-like manner. This funding provides an opportunity for businesses, non-profit groups, and community organizations in the County to have access to a program that will help sustain existing and future recycling efforts. Funds are used to provide supplemental resources needed to help establish, maintain, and expand locally based CRV recycling programs.
SWMD has applied for and secured Program funding through CalRecycle since 2002 to assist with providing CRV recycling containers and supplies, and litter abatement. Over the past 24 years, SWMD has received $2,003,257 from CalRecycle, which has allowed SWMD to successfully establish and maintain over 33 programs throughout the county.
On January 25, 2022 (Item No. 60), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved and authorized the submission of applications to CalRecycle for various grant and payment programs as administered by CalRecycle for the following five years and adopted Resolution No. 2022-09 authorizing the Director of the Department of Public Works or the Assistant Director to sign and submit grant and payment program applications for a period of five years or until rescinded by the Board, whichever comes first.
On September 18, 2025, CalRecycle sent out its request for applications for the next Program funding cycle for 2025-26. SWMD submitted the annual funding request to CalRecycle on October 6, 2025, which was approved on February 17, 2026. Official award notification from CalRecycle was received on March 11, 2026. CalRecycle has allotted $73,861 to the County to continue promoting beverage container recycling and litter cleanup activities. This item is being presented at this time. as this is the first available date following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews once award notification was received from CalRecycle.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 2, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on May 4, 2026.