Black Youth, Environmentalists, Entrepreneurs Express Support for ‘Bottle Bill’

November 18, 2025

The D.C. Council is considering the "Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025," commonly known as the bottle bill, which would establish a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers that consumers could reclaim by returning empty bottles to stores and redemption centers. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau introduced the legislation with ten colleagues, aiming to reduce litter in D.C. waterways and streets while creating income opportunities for residents, particularly in underserved wards. The proposal has garnered support from over 200 public witnesses and 32 member organizations focused on environmental cleanup, but faces opposition from business coalitions and corporations like Coca-Cola and Pepsi who cite concerns about operational burdens and potential fraud.

Who is affected

Ward 8 residents and volunteers, particularly environmentalist Vondre Walston and members of Ward 8 Woods Conservancy
D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and ten council colleagues who introduced the legislation
Environmental organizations including the Return, Refund, and Recycle Coalition for DC (3RC for DC) and its 32 member organizations
Beverage distributors such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and BlueTriton
Local businesses, restaurants, and grocery stores throughout D.C.
Students Garvey Bridgers and Haakim Brown Bey from The School of Harvest in Ward 7
D.C. residents who would pay and potentially reclaim the 10-cent deposit
Communities near the Anacostia River affected by bottle pollution

What action is being taken

The legislation is moving through the D.C. Council committee process, having transferred from the Committee on Business and Economic Development to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment
Councilmember Nadeau is engaging council colleagues and local businesses about the legislation
Ward 8 Woods Conservancy volunteers are conducting cleanup operations removing hundreds of pounds of bottles and debris from woodlands and waterways
The 3RC for DC coalition is organizing and advocating for the bill's passage
Students at The School of Harvest are conducting weekly park cleanups
Residents have been collecting bottles since last year in anticipation of the bill's passage
The Alliance for an Affordable D.C. is campaigning in opposition to the legislation

Why it matters

This legislation represents a significant environmental and economic justice initiative for D.C. The bottle bill addresses the persistent litter problem affecting the city's waterways, particularly the Anacostia River, where 60% of bottles end up in landfills or water systems. It would create income opportunities for residents who need them most, potentially allowing individuals to earn substantial money through bottle collection. The measure tackles the inadequacy of current commingled recycling systems, where contamination prevents effective reuse and most materials end up down-cycled into landfills or incinerators. For communities east of the Anacostia River, the bill represents both environmental cleanup and economic opportunity, addressing the dual challenges of pollution and limited youth employment options that once existed.

What's next

The Committee on Transportation and the Environment, chaired by Councilmember Charles Allen, will conduct a hearing on the bill, though no date has been determined yet
If passed, the legislation would mandate bottle distributors to establish an environmental stewardship organization
These organizations would collaborate with the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment to create redemption centers throughout the District
Bottle distributors would pay handling fees to grocery stores and other entities responsible for collecting and storing returned bottles

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer