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Recyclers take an income hit

A man who goes by the name Double O sorts items he collected to recycle at West Coast Recycling at Towne Avenue and East 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles. Double O complained about a state law that took effect Nov. 1 reducing how much money he can get for wine, liquor and milk bottles.

A man who goes by the name Double O sorts items he collected to recycle at West Coast Recycling at Towne Avenue and East 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles. Double O complained about a state law that took effect Nov. 1 reducing how much money he can get for wine, liquor and milk bottles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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A California law that took effect Nov. 1 reduced the amount of money recyclers can make selling cans, bottles and cartons back to the state. They can no longer commingle wine, liquor and milk bottles with soda, beer and water bottles on which deposits were paid; the former can only be redeemed now for scrap value, which is negligible. The change has slashed what was a major source of income for many poor and homeless people.

Recyclers take an income hit

Francisco Rios sorts through the cans, plastic and glassware he brought to Chris Recycling Center at South Central Avenue and East 11th Street in downtown Los Angeles on December 05, 2013. Rios said his income has been slashed by a new state law reducing how much certain recyclables can be redeemed for.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Recyclers take an income hit

Romeo Fulse, owner of West Coast Recycling at Towne Avenue and East 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles, complained about a law that took effect Nov. 1 slashing how much money recyclers can make redeeming certain cans and bottles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Recyclers take an income hit

Velma Franklin sorts items she collected to recycle at West Coast Recycling at Towne Avenue and East 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Recyclers take an income hit

Soda and beer cans await their fate at Chris Recycling Center at South Central Avenue and East 11th Street in downtown Los Angeles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Recyclers take an income hit

Alberto Lopez carries cans brought by Karen Rivas, right, to Chris Recycling Center at South Central Avenue and East 11th Street in downtown Los Angeles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Recyclers take an income hit

Karen Rivas sorts her recyclables at Chris Recycling Center at South Central Avenue and East 11th Street in downtown Los Angeles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Recyclers take an income hit

David Lee Cox sorts items he collected to recycle at West Coast Recycling at Towne Avenue and East 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Recyclers take an income hit

Jerry Anthony works at Chris Recycling Center at South Central Avenue and East 11th Street in downtown Los Angeles.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Recyclers take an income hit

Romeo Fulse, owner of West Coast Recycling at Towne Avenue and East 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles, weighs recyclables brought in by a homeless person.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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