Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 14572.5

A certified recycling center, other than a reverse vending machine, shall accept from any consumer or any dropoff or collection program and pay the applicable deposit for any refillable empty beer and other malt beverage container. The certified recycling center shall return, or cause to be returned, the refillable beer and other malt beverage container to the beer and other malt beverage distributor or any willing purchaser, who shall then pay the deposit to the center. The beer and other malt beverage distributor or other purchaser shall also negotiate a handling fee with the recycling center for the return of these containers.