The Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025 aims to tackle the litter issue in the District of Columbia, particularly from beverage containers, by introducing a beverage container deposit program. Under this program, consumers will pay a ten-cent deposit on applicable beverages, which will be refunded upon returning the empty containers for recycling. The program will be managed by a nonprofit organization funded by beverage distributors and overseen by the Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE). Key provisions include the establishment of a beverage container stewardship organization responsible for managing the program, mandatory registration for distributors starting January 1, 2028, and the setting of standards for reverse vending machines in underserved communities.

The bill also outlines requirements for beverage container stewardship plans, which organizations must submit by March 1, 2027, detailing logistics, stakeholder consultation, and financial projections. It establishes a handling fee of $0.04 for each redeemed container, with potential annual increases, and mandates that retailers accept all types of beverage containers for redemption. Performance targets are set for a 75% redemption rate and a 70% recycling rate by 2028, alongside a disposal ban for beverage containers starting January 1, 2027. The District Recycling Fund will manage unclaimed deposits for environmental initiatives, and the Mayor will have enforcement authority to ensure compliance with the program.