No can do! California family busted in $7.6 million recycling fraud scheme

This is one way to wind up in the can.

A California family was busted for an alleged interstate scheme in which they scammed $7.6 million by illegally turning in tons of recyclable bottles and cans, according to prosecutors.

Maria Saenz, of Riverside County, and seven relatives allegedly hauled heaps of the glass and aluminum loot from Arizona to the Golden State, where they could get big bucks by exploiting California law, according to a felony criminal complaint filed July 19.

They’re accused of cashing in on a program that offers 5-to-10 cents per beverage container return — by bringing back 178 tons of recycling over an 8-month period beginning last year, according to the complaint.

Only empties from within California are eligible for money upon return, and the family faces charges including fraud, grand theft and conspiracy.

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

Investigators from the attorney general’s office and the state program, CalRecycle — which aims to incentivize the environmentally friendly practice with cash —  say they uncovered the trashy crime.

It wasn’t immediately clear how the family got its hands on so many bottles and cans in Arizona, which has no cash-for-recycling program. 

CalRecycle also plans to take legal action against the recycling centers involved, according to the attorney general’s office.

Manuela Rizo, Genaro Fuentes, Jose Chica, Jose Martinez, Francisco Saenz, Jose Henriquez, and Victor Hernandez were also charged in the alleged scheme.

The attorney general’s office didn’t immediately return questions from The Post Thursday.