D.C. bottle bill: Why Washington could pass the first new bottle bill in decades

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Washington, D.C. has a rare opportunity to become the first jurisdiction in the United States to adopt a new bottle bill in more than two decades. Around the world, bottle deposit systems are becoming the gold standard for reducing litter, improving recycling, and laying the groundwork for reusable packaging. Just Zero has worked alongside advocates and policymakers to help shape this legislation, which reflects decades of lessons from successful programs worldwide. If passed, D.C.’s proposal wouldn’t just benefit the District – it would serve as the model for the next generation of bottle bills across the U.S.

A chance to restart a movement

Bottle bills helped transform recycling in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s. By placing a small, refundable deposit on beverage containers, these programs encouraged millions of people to return bottles and cans instead of throwing them away. These programs quickly became the country’s most successful recycling policies. Then, momentum stalled.

Although existing bottle bill states have continued to update and improve their programs, no new state has adopted a bottle bill in more than two decades – even as plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Now, Washington, D.C. has an opportunity to change that. The District is considering legislation that would establish its first beverage container refund program, joining only 10 U.S. states that already have bottle bills. But D.C.’s proposal isn’t simply about catching up. It’s about building a modern program informed by decades of experience from successful systems around the world.

If adopted, D.C.’s bottle bill could mark the beginning of a new chapter for bottle deposit legislation in the U.S. – one recognizing that recycling alone isn’t enough to curb the plastic pollution crisis. Plus, the law could build toward a future centered on reuse, accountability, and smarter waste systems.

D.C. isn’t alone, but it could lead the way

Today, more than 50 jurisdictions around the world have bottle deposit systems, and more than 300 million people live in communities where they return beverage containers for a refund. Countries including France, Poland, Spain, Singapore, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom are all developing or expanding their own programs, recognizing that deposit systems remain one of the most effective ways to reduce waste and recover valuable materials.

Momentum is growing here in the U.S., too. During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers in Maryland, Illinois, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington considered bottle bill legislation, while several existing bottle bill states explored updates to strengthen their programs.

Washington, D.C. has an opportunity to become the first jurisdiction to cross the finish line. Why does that matter? Because bottle bills have consistently delivered results. Though the 10 current bottle bill states only represent 27% of the U.S. population, they account for more than 50% of all beverage containers recycled annually. On average, states with bottle bills have double the recycling rates than those that rely solely on curbside recycling.

Around the world, governments are recognizing that voluntary recycling programs alone aren’t enough. To truly meet waste reduction, recycling, and climate goals, modern bottle bills are a necessary solution.

Building a bottle bill for today

Bottle bills have evolved considerably since the first programs were introduced decades ago. Today’s strongest systems don’t simply collect bottles – they’re designed to reduce litter, improve the quality of recycled materials, encourage reusable packaging, and shift responsibility onto the companies that produce single-use beverage containers.

Several bottle bill countries around the world, as well as states in the U.S., have demonstrated that these modernized measures are achievable. Germany, for example, sells 82% of all beer in reusable bottles – 99% of those bottles are returned for reuse – while 54% of all beverages are sold in reusable containers. And after Hawaii enacted a bottle bill in 2005, the number of beverage containers collected in a coastal cleanup dropped by 65% in just four years (from 23,471 in 2004 to 8,200 in 2008).

The proposal before the D.C. Council reflects many of these modern best practices. For example, the legislation would establish a District Recycling Fund that could help expand access to water bottle refill stations, provide water filters for low-income residents, and invest in programs that encourage reusable beverage containers. These investments recognize that recycling is important – but reducing waste in the first place is even better.

The legislation also includes safeguards to strengthen the system over time. It places responsibility on beverage producers to help manage the program while incorporating multiple fraud prevention measures developed from lessons learned in other states and countries. These include stronger oversight, reporting requirements, and tools to prevent cross-border redemption fraud. Rather than recreating bottle bills of the past, D.C. has an opportunity to build a program designed for today’s challenges.

How Just Zero helped shape the proposal

As Washington, D.C. developed its bottle bill proposal, Just Zero worked closely with advocates of 3RC for DC to ensure the legislation reflects decades of research and real-world experience from successful bottle deposit systems across the U.S. and around the world.

In testimony submitted to the D.C. Council, Just Zero shared evidence demonstrating why bottle bills remain one of the most effective tools for reducing litter and increasing recycling. We also highlighted opportunities to make the proposal stronger by emphasizing investments in reuse and refill infrastructure, supporting producer responsibility, and incorporating modern fraud prevention measures that have proven successful elsewhere. We addressed common misconceptions about bottle bills – including claims that they significantly increase beverage prices or lead to widespread fraud – by pointing lawmakers toward current research and evidence, rather than industry talking points.

In July 2026, the District’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment took another important step forward by holding a public roundtable on the proposal. The discussion gave local businesses, community members, advocates, and other stakeholders an opportunity to share feedback and help strengthen the legislation before it moves ahead. Committee members are now considering those recommendations as they prepare an updated version of the bill for the full D.C. Council. If the Committee votes to advance the legislation, the Council will then consider it through the District’s legislative process, with the possibility of final passage later this year.

Our goal isn’t simply to help pass another bottle bill. It’s to help build one that reflects today’s best practices and can serve as a model for other communities considering similar legislation. If enacted, Washington, D.C.’s bottle bill won’t just make history as the first new program in more than two decades. It could become the blueprint other states look to as they modernize their own bottle bill systems.

A turning point for bottle bills

Bottle bills aren’t a relic of the past – they’re helping shape the future of waste reduction. As communities around the world adopt stronger recycling and reuse systems, Washington, D.C. has the opportunity to show what’s possible in the U.S. By learning from decades of experience and building a program designed for today’s challenges, the District could inspire a new generation of bottle bill legislation across the country.

Just Zero is proud to help advance policies that move us toward cleaner communities, greater producer accountability, and a future that relies less on waste and more on reuse.