Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025

The "Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025" would require a 10-cent deposit on most beverage containers (bottles and cans) sold in the District of Columbia, with a refund available when empty containers are returned for recycling. The program would be managed by a nonprofit funded by beverage distributors and overseen by the Department of Energy and the Environment. The bill aims to increase recycling rates and reduce litter, citing evidence from other states where similar programs achieved return rates over 50 percent. It directly affects consumers (who pay the deposit and receive refunds) and beverage distributors (who fund the nonprofit).