1. (a) “Consumer convenience that is comparable to the requirements of section 14571 and section 14571.9 of the Act” means either of the following:

   1. (1) Accepting and immediately paying the refund value for beverage containers at least 30 hours per week with a minimum of five hours of operation occurring during periods other than from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

   2. (2) Accepting and immediately paying the refund value for beverage containers for all of the following:

      1. (A) A minimum of one day from Monday to Friday per week for at least eight hours.
      2. (B) In addition to the requirement in subparagraph (C), at least five hours per week during periods other than from Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
      3. (C) At least eight hours per week during Saturday or Sunday.
2. (b) “Days” means all calendar days unless provided otherwise.
3. (c) “Dealer cooperative stewardship fee” means a fee assessed on a dealer member by a dealer cooperative in accordance with section 14578.5(c)(2) of the Act.
4. (d) “Department” means the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.
5. (e) “Fully operational” means all elements specified in a stewardship plan or required pursuant to the Act or this chapter are operational in accordance with the terms set out in the stewardship plan and in compliance with the Act and this chapter.

6. (f) “Innovative method of redemption” includes any of the following:

   1. (1) Pickup service as part of which empty beverage containers are redeemed at the consumer's address.
   2. (2) Bag drop.
   3. (3) Reverse vending machine.
   4. (4) A method of redemption at which an attendant is not present to accept materials.
7. (g) “Redemption contractor” means a person redeeming empty beverage containers from consumers pursuant to a stewardship plan on behalf of a dealer cooperative.
8. (h) “Redemption location” or “redemption site” means a place at which beverage containers are redeemed on behalf of a dealer cooperative, including, but not limited to, an innovative method of redemption. A redemption location or redemption site is not required to obtain a certification or registration number from the department in order to operate as part of a stewardship program.

9. (i) “Sales and storage area” includes all of the following:

   1. (1) Sales areas accessible to customers, including, but not limited to, aisles, foyers, sitting areas, and restrooms.
   2. (2) Employee areas, including, but not limited to, sales counters, preparation areas, offices, restrooms, and breakrooms.
   3. (3) Enclosed attached storage areas.
   4. (4) Outdoor sales areas accessible to customers, including, but not limited to, tents, lean-tos, gazebos, patios, and porches.
10. (j) “Stewardship plan” means a redemption plan as described in section 14578.5(c)(1) of the Act.
11. (k) “Stewardship program” means the redemption program implemented by a dealer cooperative pursuant to its stewardship plan approved by the department.

For purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions apply:

Note: Authority cited: Sections 14530.5 and 14578.5, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 14571, 14571.9, 14578 and 14578.5, Public Resources Code.

History

1. New subchapter 4.5 (articles 1-5), article 1 (section 2370) and section filed 4-24-2025; operative 4-24-2025 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2025, No. 17).