Washington state explores a 10-cent beverage container fee to boost recycling and reduce litter.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state lawmakers are weighing a proposal that would place a 10-cent charge on beverage containers.
Under the proposal, known as the Recycling Refunds Act, Washington state consumers would pay an additional dime on each bottle or beverage container they purchase. That fee could be recovered only if the plastic, aluminum, or glass container is stored and later returned by the consumer to a designated deposit center, with drop-off locations placed in retail parking lots and participating stores throughout communities.
Rep. Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver), the sponsor of House Bill 1607, said the measure is aimed at curbing litter and plastic waste.
Stonier said recycling rates have increased substantially in states and countries that use refund programs. She said the benefits extend beyond waste reduction, noting that Washington’s current recycling rate sits at about 50% and could rise significantly if more containers are captured and reused instead of discarded along roadsides or in parks and waterways.
The state currently spends roughly $12 million each year removing more than 26 million pounds of litter from highways and roadways. Supporters said encouraging people to return containers could reduce those cleanup costs and save taxpayer dollars, particularly during a challenging budget year.
“Getting litter out of the environment isn’t just about improving the scenery,” Stonier said. “It improves our waterways, allowing marine life to thrive. Reducing plastic pollution will help our farmers and fishermen whose livelihood depends on the health of the environment.”
Opponents of the legislation, the Washington Refuse & Recycling Association, said the proposal would come at the wrong time, amid record inflation and higher grocery bills, and that the fee would raise the price of everyday items.
Opposition groups describe the charge as regressive, claiming it could increase the cost of common purchases, such as bulk water bottles, by nearly 50%. They also raised concerns that bottle producers would retain unclaimed deposits.