1. (2) A recycling center that has a reverse vending machine or bag drop receptacle onsite is not eligible to apply for a mobile unit unless the recycling center is staffed during all hours of operation with an attendant that will immediately pay the refund value for all material types.

2. (b) To be considered complete, an application for a mobile unit shall include all of the following:

   1. (1) The certification number of the anchor recycling center.

   2. (2) Whether the anchor recycling center is eligible for handling fees, and, if it is, the basis for that eligibility under section 14585 of the Act and section 2516 of this chapter.

      1. (B) If the mobile unit will collect empty beverage containers at the consumer's address, as described in section 2500.5(a)(2), the geographic boundaries in which the mobile unit will operate.
      2. (C) Formal acknowledgement, such as a use agreement or letter, signed by the property owner or property manager that permission is given to use the location(s) for the mobile unit.

      (3)(A) The proposed hours of operation and location address(es) of the mobile unit, which shall be the same either from week to week or from month to month.

   3. (4) Each physical location where beverage container material will be inspected, sorted, or stored, if different from the physical location(s) specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3).

      1. (B) If the mobile unit is a trailer, all of the following: the license plate number of the trailer, the license plate number of the vehicle pulling the trailer, and the trailer's permanent trailer identification number.

      (5)(A) If the mobile unit is a vehicle, the license plate number of the vehicle.

   4. (6) For a mobile unit that consists of a bag drop receptacle, the information specified in section 2045(a)(16).
   5. (7) Each physical location that the mobile unit will be stored when not redeeming empty beverage containers for the anchor recycling center.
   6. (8) Proof of current ownership of the mobile unit by the operator of the anchor recycling center or a signed copy of a current lease or rental agreement authorizing the operator of the anchor recycling center to use the mobile unit.

3. (c) The department shall review whether an application for a mobile unit is complete within 30 working days of receipt. If the department deems an application complete, the department shall, no later than 60 calendar days after the date when the application was deemed complete, do either of the following:

   1. (1) Approve the application if the application meets the requirements of this section.
   2. (2) Deny the application if the application does not meet the requirements of this section and include in the denial letter the basis for the denial specified in this section.

4. (d) The department shall deny an application for a mobile unit in any of the following circumstances:

   1. (1) The anchor recycling center is on prepayment or postpayment inspection status with the department, as described in section 14552(a) of the Act.
   2. (2) The certification history of the anchor recycling center demonstrates outstanding fines, outstanding penalties, or outstanding amounts owed pursuant to a final audit finding or a final investigation finding.
   3. (3) The anchor recycling center's certification history demonstrates a pattern of operation in conflict with the requirements of the Act and this chapter.
   4. (4) The mobile unit proposes to operate in a convenience zone where a recycling center other than its anchor recycling center or a pilot project recycler operates.
   5. (5) The mobile unit proposes to operate in an unserved convenience zone where at least one dealer cooperative is implementing a fully operational stewardship plan.
   6. (6) The mobile unit already operates for another recycling center, a pilot project recycler, or a dealer cooperative.
5. (e) The department's denial of a mobile unit application is final and not subject to reconsideration.
6. (f) The department shall require an applicant to provide additional information if necessary to corroborate or clarify the information provided in the mobile unit application and the applicant shall provide that information within 10 days of the department sending the request via email to the contact person's email address provided in the certification application.
7. (g) Upon approving an application for a mobile unit, the department shall provide, at the request of the anchor recycling center, the anchor recycling center with a duplicate or digital version of the anchor recycling center's certification sign to display in accordance with section 2500.5(c)(5).

(a)(1) Except as specified in paragraph (2), a recycling center or person applying for recycling center certification is eligible to apply for approval to operate one or more mobile units under the certification number of the recycling center.

Note: Authority cited: Section 14536, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 14538, Public Resources Code.

History

1. New section filed 8-11-2025 as an emergency; operative 8-11-2025 (Register 2025, No. 33). This action is deemed an emergency pursuant to Public Resources Code section 14536(b) and shall remain in effect until revised by the director.