Class Code 8847
Beverage Container Collection Or Redemption
California Class Code 8847 applies to employers whose workers collect, sort, redeem or process beverage containers at redemption centers, reverse-vending kiosks, or on collection routes. The approved pure premium rate for September 1, 2026 is $6.734 per $100 of payroll, which reflects the expected cost of claims for this kind of work and helps determine workers' compensation premiums.
What Class Code 8847 Covers
This classification covers operations where employees handle the return and redemption of beverage containers for deposit refunds or recycling. Typical activities include staffing bottle and can redemption centers, operating reverse vending machines, manually sorting and counting containers by material and deposit eligibility, operating compactors or crushers, palletizing returned product, and loading/unloading containers from customer drop-offs or collection trucks. It also includes route collection work when the primary duty is gathering containers for redemption rather than general delivery or bulk hauling. Office-only payroll (administrative staff not involved in redemption operations) is excluded from this class.
Who It Applies To
- Standalone bottle and can redemption centers and recycling depots
- Retailers or grocery stores that operate in-store redemption kiosks or staffed bottle returns
- Companies running reverse-vending machines and attendant-staffed kiosks
- Route crews and drivers whose main job is collecting beverage containers for redemption
- Nonprofit and municipal beverage-deposit collection programs with paid staff
Common Job Duties
- Receiving and counting returned bottles, cans and cartons for deposit verification
- Sorting containers by material (glass, aluminum, PET) and by return eligibility
- Operating reverse vending machines, compactors or crushers and maintaining those units
- Loading, palletizing and securing stacked containers for transport
- Cashiering and issuing refunds or store credit at redemption points
- Cleaning work areas, removing spilled liquids and broken glass, and routine housekeeping
- Driving short local routes to collect containers and return loads to processing centers
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $6.734 Rate
The pure premium rate of $6.734 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of workers' compensation claims for Class 8847 before insurer expenses and adjustments. Insurers use the pure premium as the loss-cost component and then add expense loads, profit margins, state assessments, and any PEO or policy fees to calculate the total premium. An employer's actual premium is further affected by their experience modification, payroll mix, claim history, safety controls, and whether payroll is reported correctly to the carrier or PEO.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements that commonly apply include maintaining an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), providing appropriate PPE (cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, steel-toe footwear), machine guarding and lockout/tagout procedures for compactors/crushers, and forklift/operator safety training and certification for powered industrial truck operators. Employers must also follow hazardous communication for cleaning agents, keep work areas dry and free of trip hazards, and implement heat illness prevention when work is performed outdoors or in hot, unventilated areas.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 8847
A PEO like Key HR can help employers in this classification reduce workers' comp costs through centralized claims handling, proven return-to-work programs, and safety program templates tailored to redemption operations. Key HR provides training (PPE use, machine guarding, driver safety), OSHA recordkeeping and compliance support, and pooled purchasing and experience management that can improve loss trends and potentially lower premiums over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Do drivers who pick up returned containers belong in Class 8847?
Yes if the driver's primary duty is collecting beverage containers for redemption or recycling and performing related loading/unloading or sorting tasks. If the worker's primary job is general hauling or long-haul deliveries, insurers may classify them differently—confirm job descriptions with your carrier or PEO.
What specific PPE and controls should a redemption center require?
At minimum require cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, steel-toe or protective footwear, high-visibility vests for route workers, and hearing protection where compactors or crushers create noise. Implement machine guarding, lockout/tagout for equipment maintenance, and clear protocols for handling broken glass and biohazardous waste.
How can I lower workers' comp costs for my redemption operation?
Focus on preventing common claims with structured safety training, proper PPE, ergonomic lifting aids and pallet handling procedures, disciplined housekeeping to prevent slips, and a formal return-to-work program to reduce claim durations. Accurate payroll classification, timely claims reporting, and partnering with a PEO for centralized claims management and loss control also help lower premiums.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 8847
- Classification
- Beverage Container Collection Or Redemption
- Pure Premium Rate
- $6.734 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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Get a Quoteor call (800) 922-4133Ready to Simplify Workers' Comp for Class Code 8847?
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