Washington, DC is drowning in beverage container waste. From the banks of Oxon Run to neighborhoods across all eight wards, plastic bottles litter our public spaces and waterways. But a powerful grassroots movement is fighting back using strategy, determination, and collaboration. 3RC for DC, the Return, Refund, Recycle Coalition, the driving force behind the District’s proposed Bottle Bill: The Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025 (B26-0058). 3RC for DC, which stands for the Return, Refund and Recycle Coalition for DC, is leading a campaign for a strong, equitable beverage container deposit-return law in the District. The District is overrun by beverage container litter. Bottle Bills are a proven solution to this type of pollution. Nature Forward is a proud founding organizational member of the 3RC Coalition with more than 20 organizations in support of this major bill!
A People-Powered Campaign for Cleaner Communities
The idea is simple: put a 10-cent refundable deposit on beverage containers to incentivize recycling. When consumers return the bottle or can, they get their dime back. It’s a model that has worked in ten U.S. states, which together account for more than 50% of all bottles recycled nationally, despite comprising just 27% of the population. A DC bottle bill could triple our recycling rates and cut litter by up to 84%, while also protecting residents from the health harms of plastic pollution.
This is about more than litter. It is also about health justice, too. Beyond litter reduction, this initiative addresses broader environmental health concerns. Washington, DC is grappling with significant environmental challenges, notably the pervasive presence of microplastics and PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in its waterways. These pollutants threaten both ecological integrity and public health. PFAS contamination is a pressing issue. These synthetic chemicals, used in various industrial and consumer products, have been found in DC’s waterways where residents are still practicing subsistence fishing. For example, groundwater near the Anacostia River has shown PFAS concentrations totaling 58,764 parts per trillion. PFAS are persistent in the environment and have been linked to adverse health effects, including cancer and liver damage. A study by American University found concentrations of microplastics as high as 127 particles per liter in the Anacostia River’s Nash Run tributary. These particles pose risks to aquatic life and potentially to human health.
Grassroots Power
Unlike past efforts that pursued a ballot initiative, the 3RC for DC Coalition made a strategic decision to build power through the Council. And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Over nearly two years of tireless organizing, the coalition has:
- Met with every DC Council office
- Secured the support of Councilmember Charles Allen, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment
- Persuaded Councilmember Brianne Nadeau to introduce and champion the bill
- Helped secure 11 co-introducers out of the 13 members of Council
- Delivered literature and messages to Council offices more than a dozen times
- Held creative events, like the “burrito breakfast briefing,” to engage staff members
- Integrated the bottle bill into over 23 unrelated Council meetings
- Testified at hearings and mobilized community support across ANCs, business leaders, and faith communities
Nature Forward has been part of this process every step of the way. DC Conservation Advocate, Jamoni Overby and volunteers have attended countless meetings with Council member offices to encourage them to sign on as co-sponsors. Nature Forward continues to promote this bill, answer questions and engage the community to debunk the myths about Bottle Bills and demonstrate the benefits to our environment and individual residents. Collecting hundreds of signed postcards at various community events in support of DC residents in every ward demonstrated the true support for this bill. A “strong and equitable” bottle bill has been the main priority for this coalition. From the draft of the bill to its final form, Nature Forward has ensured that an environmental justice lens has been applied to different provisions in the bill, such as considering access to return centers East of the River.
Not Just Advocacy: Leadership in Action
When the bill was introduced in January 2025, the coalition stood side by side with Councilmembers at a media event celebrating the legislation. Now, the bill is with the Committee on Business and Economic Development, and later this summer, will head to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment for a hearing expected in the fall.
And the support is broad: 16 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) have passed resolutions supporting the bill. Organizations like Ward 8 Woods Conservancy have documented plastic pollution. One example, the piles of bottles outside the Congress Heights Metro Station, underscores the need for action.
Environmental Progress That Pays for Itself
Critically, this is not a budget buster. The bill is designed to avoid burdening DC taxpayers, with beverage companies funding the logistics, not residents. Small retailers, bars, and restaurants are exempt from container redemption responsibilities unless they opt in (and get a handling fee if they do). And DC’s own brewers and small beverage producers are shielded from new costs. That’s a win for both the environment and the local economy.
Where Are We Now?
You might be wondering, where is the Bottle Bill now? On January 15, 2025, the Recycling Refund Amendment Act of 2025 was introduced as a bill. It was then referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development with a public hearing held on October 1, 2025. The bill is now stuck in the Committee on Transportation and Environment where it awaits mark up and committee vote before advancing to full DC Council vote. Stay connected to 3RC for DC and Nature Forward for developments.
What You Can Do
This movement needs you. Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or part of a community organization, here’s how to help:
- Sign up for action alerts: 3rcfordc.org/campaign
- Distribute flyers, testify at hearings, or host a community discussion
- Engage with your ANC or Council member to express support.
- Distribute informational materials and encourage discussions within your community.
- Testify at upcoming hearings to share your perspective.
- Donate to support advocacy efforts: sc.org/dcbottlebill
- Volunteer to put up Bottle Bill Support Signs around the city until this bill is passed! Contact DC Conservation Advocate, Jamoni Overby for more information.
For more information or support in taking any of these actions, visit www.3rcforDC.org.
Let’s show the rest of the country what environmental justice and grassroots power can achieve. Thanks to the leadership of the DC Council and the tireless work of the 3RC for DC Coalition, real change is within reach. By addressing the intersection of health and environmental challenges through a comprehensive bottle bill, DC has the opportunity to enhance environmental health, protect public well-being and public spaces, and set a precedent for sustainable urban living as we push for a zero waste DC.