PRCC is committed to improving the quality of the environment and reducing solid waste through the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage containers.
We are here to increase public awareness and the recycling rates for plastic PET beverage containers. We strive to ensure stable end-use markets for all PET collected in California, to increase the value of PET, and to reduce the costs of its collection.
Today, PRCC purchases PET bottles for resale to reclaimers in the US and globally. PRCC inspects its purchases and maintains meticulous quality control. Our purpose is to ensure that PRCC’s buyers get the best quality material available and our suppliers get the best price possible. In 2021, PRCC handled more than 230 million pounds of PET. PRCC’s buyers use this material to manufacture new bottles and food containers, fiber for carpeting and clothing, fiberfill, and industrial strapping.
In October 1987, the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (AB2020) went into effect mandating the recycling of carbonated beverage containers by placing a redemption value on these containers. In 2000, the law was expanded to almost all beverage containers. The plastic soft drink bottle manufacturing industry of California took early action to support the new recycling law and ensure that an effective statewide PET plastic recycling program was in place before the law took effect. One action taken was the formation of Plastic Recycling Corporation of California (PRCC) in June 1987. PRCC is a private non-profit organization.
At its inception, PRCC aggressively implemented innovative marketing and consumer promotions in order to increase redemption rates and public awareness of the recyclability of soft drink bottles.
In 1994, the Plastic Recycling Corporation of California (PRCC) contracted with Moore Recycling Associates to manage their day-to-day operations. In 2017, Moore Recycling changed their name to Sustainable Materials Management of California (SMMofCA). Patricia Moore is President of SMMofCA, which manages all PRCC business operations. Sally Houghton is the Executive Director of PRCC.
If you sell PET beverages in CA or make PET beverage bottles for sale in CA, we encourage you to learn more about the importance of being a member of PRCC! Please email us with your mailing address or call us at 707-935-1997 and we will send you more information about the value of PRCC.