Family Faces Felony Charges for Collecting $7.6 Million by Recycling Arizona Garbage in California

A truck drops off a load of recyclables at the Norcal Waste recycling facility in San Francisco on July 11, 2003. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Two members of a family suspected of collecting $7.6 million for illegally recycling bottles and cans from Arizona were arrested on July 25 after California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed several felony charges against the group.

Jose Chica, 50, and Jose Martinez, 35, are scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 26, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told The Epoch Times.

Mr. Bonta’s office expects to arrest the remaining suspects soon, according to a spokesperson.

“All eight suspects have either been arrested or will be arrested shortly. Those arrested have been booked into the Riverside County Jail,” a spokesperson told The Epoch Times. “Attorney General Bonta is committed to holding accountable those who try to undermine the integrity of California’s recycling program through criminal operations.”

Mr. Bonta claims eight family members were involved in a recycling scheme that involved bringing tons of discarded beverage containers from Arizona to redeem in Riverside County. They are facing multiple charges including recycling fraud, grand theft, and conspiracy.

“California’s recycling program is funded by consumers, and helps protect our environment and our communities,“ Mr. Bonta said in a July 25 press release. ”Those who try to undermine its integrity through criminal operations will be held accountable.”

Eight family members are facing prison time for multiple felony charges in California after redeeming $7.6 million in recycled cans and bottles from Arizona. Only California materials are eligible for the state’s beverage redemption program. The California Department of Justice recovered nearly $1.1 million from six locations in the case. Courtesy of California Attorney General's Office

With California’s beverage container recycling program, consumers pay 5 to 10 cents for each can or bottle purchased, depending on the size of the container. Fees can be redeemed at recycling centers throughout the state.

Only containers from California can be redeemed for cash under the program, Mr. Bonta said in the press release.

Arizona doesn’t have a recycling program that reimburses consumers for turning in beverage containers.