UCPNB Drop & Go CRV Recycling: How-To Video

Participating in the CRV program by bringing acceptable beverage containers to a Recycling Center ensures that a greater number of those materials are being recycled into new products as opposed to curbside recycling programs. Curbside recycling programs offer a convenient way to dispose of recyclables, but the process inherently creates a high risk of contaminating mixed recyclable materials, leading to many materials ending up in landfills despite being put in the correct curbside bin. Even a little bit of contamination from non-recyclable products can lead to entire truckloads being landfilled. 

However, when recyclable materials are brought directly to a Recycling Center for CRV redemption, they are already sorted into their appropriate material type, greatly reducing the risk of contamination and increasing the likelihood that these materials will be recovered. 

From the recycling center, materials are sold directly to processors who facilitate the process of recovering materials and creating new products with them. 

For any refund transfer or software issues, please reach out to Info@Recycletek.co for assistance.

Any material dropped off at UCP's Drop & Go Pods that go over the daily limits is counted as scrap, which is not paid out at this time due to market conditions. We suggest saving materials for another drop-off if you think it will exceed the daily limits.

We have to activate EcoCard debit cards manually at this time, so please reach out to us at RecycleHelp@ucpnb.org or (707) 766-9990 ext. 126 to request a reloadable EcoCard. You can either pick up the debit card from our Administrative Office in Petaluma, or we can mail it to you after manual activation & linking to your account.

The list of Bag Distribution Partners can be found on both the Home Page as well as the Drop & Go Page of this website. 

Bags can be linked to your account through your Recycletek account using your smartphone. Simply log in to the website on your phone, scroll down on the dashboard until you see the section "Connect EcoSacks to Your Account." Select "Scan," and use your smartphone's camera to scan only the first QR Code on the roll of bags. This will link the entire roll of bags to your account.

You can always check how many bags are currently linked to your account by clicking the Bag Icon at the top of the dashboard, called EcoSacks.

Up to 72 business hours.

Bags are picked up and processed by UCPNB employees every day Tue-Sat. It may take time to process bags depending on volume and staffing. Please wait the full 72-business hours before reaching out about a missing refund.

If it's still within the 72-business hour window for processing payments, we are still processing your bags. Sometimes we get a high volume of bags and it takes time to scan, weigh, and process. The speed of processing depends on staffing and volume of material. Additionally, bags may get separated from one another either in the Drop & Go Pod, or in transport to the Recycling Center. 

Please wait the full 72-business hour processing window before reaching out about a missing payment. Our staff are working diligently to get it to you as soon as possible!

Unfortunately, there are fees associated with each redemption option. These fees are all bank-issued and are not associated with UCP or Recycletek. 

These transfer fees are permitted by CalRecycle and we have no way of avoiding them at this time. 

For the lowest fees, we recommend the EcoCard debit card as the best redemption option.

Not at this time, but a donation option will be coming to your Recycletek EcoWallet very soon! Check back on our website for updates on when the donation option goes live.

If you know that you dropped off more items than you received payment for, the most likely reason is that you went over the daily limits for material type or dropped off ineligible items, both of which get counted as scrap.

UCPNB does not pay scrap at this time due to market conditions.

Yes! 

You only have to make an account with Recycletek once, and then you are free to use any Drop & Go location that is the most convenient for you. All of our locations are self-serve, open 24 hours, 7 days a week. 

You can find our locations on the Home Page of this website and your linked EcoSack bags will open the doors of every UCP Drop & Go receptacle.