Last night before trash day

Rog - Yes CRV (Cal. Redemption Value) for Aluminum cans, that are marked CRV, yesterday was the lowest rate I have ever received $1.95 per pound. My guess this is due to lower aluminum scrap metal rates and a down scrap metal market for everyone. Ironically or my bad timing this was my largest load for aluminum cans (87 pounds). The highest rate for Alum. cans was $2.25 (Nov. 2014), January it was $2.21, in May I was getting $2.13, a trend reflecting the declining values of all scrap metal, with aluminum only recently dropping. With a $0.30 a pound difference in the last nine months, I think the scrap yard is trying to capture some revenue where he can, as aluminum sheet isn't down no where near that ratio. This has to be a really tough time for the small scrap yards, the company I sell my non-ferrous is also my CRV yard. A family business, that also did a major expansion last year, more scales, better computer tracking, more fork lifts, way more off loading space, amazing video tracking (keeps every event/transaction recorded), all positive upgrades for better customer service. He wasn't one of the big yards I started with, but when I started shopping for better scrap rates and service, his company took time to help me maximize my profits. In less than a year he set me up with a commercial account, always keeps me informed what's best for both of us. I normally go to this yard almost weekly, but have needed to cut back my working schedule for medical reasons. When I missed three weeks of not going to his yard, he called to find out if I was OK, not about business, but genuine concern about me. When I told him the problem, he offered nothing but help. I thanked him, but told him I will make the needed personal and business adjustments, as for our business relationship I plan to be around for another 20 years and I hope he will as well.

The one thing I learned in the last six weeks, I can't hold my cans and bottles more than six weeks due to my storage space and regulations. The new per-person, per-day limits are 100 pounds of aluminum or plastic California Redemption Value (CRV)-eligible containers and 1,000 pounds of CRV glass. Previously, the limits were 500 pounds of aluminum or plastic and 2,500 pounds of glass. If you are over 100 pounds, you can't sell any of that item, that day at that yard (they can't split the ticket into two transactions). I did learn that if I register with the state as a business recycling company, I can sell over 100 pounds per day (plan to explore that for future expansion). The hardest thing about CRV, is keeping up with the never ending "rule makers" (bureaucrats/politicians).