How a Bottle Bill Will Work for the District

Bottle Bill Basics:

  • Customers pay a 10-cent refundable deposit when they buy a beverage container.

  • The deposit is refunded when a container is returned.

  • Containers can be returned in grocery stores and other convenient sites, mainly through reverse vending machines. 

  • All beverages sold in aluminum cans, and glass and plastic bottles are included, except drugs and infant formula.

  • Beverage companies pay a handling fee for the bottles and cans to be collected and recycled. 

  • Taxpayers no longer pay for the recycling of beverage containers.

Bottle bills work! They are a proven solution to bottle-and-can pollution. Ten U.S. states have a successful bottle bill. CA, CT, HW, IA, ME,  MA,  MI, NY, OR & VT. They account for 27% of the US population, yet provide over 50% of all bottles recycled in the U.S. Bottle bill states have much higher recycling rates than non-bottle bill states. More materials collected for recycling means less litter and trash. Read more in our FAQs.

U.S. Nominal Recycling Rates by Deposit Status and Container Material Type, 2021.

DC’s bottle bill cuts litter. Download the 3RC Fact Sheet here for more information.

DC With and Without a Bottle Bill showing 85% get recycled with a Bottle Bill while 75% get trashed without a Bottle Bill.

DC’s bottle bill promotes environmental justice. Download the 3RC Fact Sheet here for more information. 

DC’s bottle bill is good for the climate. Download the 3RC Fact Sheet here for more information.

DC’s bottle bill creates more green jobs for District residents. Download the 3RC Fact Sheet here for more information.