The Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025 seeks to tackle the litter issue in the District of Columbia, particularly from beverage containers, by implementing 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 initiative will be managed by a nonprofit organization funded by beverage distributors and overseen by the Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE). The bill amends the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Amendment Act of 2014 to include a new subtitle on extended producer responsibility for beverage containers, establishing a framework for distributor registration, deposit collection, and redemption facility operations.

Key provisions of the bill include a mandatory deposit of at least $0.10 on beverage containers starting January 1, 2028, with potential increases if redemption targets are not met. The DOEE will create regulations to ensure compliance, including setting standards for reverse vending machines in underserved communities. The bill also requires beverage container stewardship organizations to submit plans by March 1, 2027, detailing container types, financing strategies, and performance targets. Additionally, it mandates annual reporting from these organizations to the DOEE while maintaining the confidentiality of individual distributor data. The legislation aims for a 75% redemption rate and a 70% recycling rate by 2028, with penalties for non-compliance and provisions for the labeling and management of beverage container deposits.