Lynn Schenkman

Sacramento, Calif. -- The California Department of Conservation is emphasizing plastic water bottle recycling this summer. The department says approximately 3 million plastic water bottles are discarded into the trash each day, even though the state requires consumers to pay a deposit. News agencies are reporting that approximately $26 million has gone unclaimed, and marketing agencies are predicting bottled-water sales to surpass other alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages, except for soft drinks. On May 19, the Department of Conservation issued $1 million in recycling grants to various organizations.