VermontBeverage companies would join plans to manage container returns
Deposit initiators would form approved producer groups, fund container returns, and meet new recycling-plan requirements on several dates.
What it does
Deposit initiators would have to form a producer responsibility organization and use an approved plan to manage beverage-container returns. Vermont could step in and charge costs plus a penalty if they fail.
Covered beverage containers would need approved identifying information and a barcode. Retailers and redemption centers would receive set fees for handling returned containers.
Plans would have to provide convenient return locations across the state and pay participating sites. Smaller retailers could refuse returns, and sites would reject containers that fail listed conditions.
Argument forMore return locations and required planning could make it easier for consumers to recover deposits and recycle beverage containers.
Argument againstDeposit initiators could face added planning costs, penalties, and required payments to redemption sites if they do not meet the program rules.
More detail
Deposit initiators would form a producer responsibility organization and join an Agency of Natural Resources-approved organization before selling or distributing covered containers. This applies to the first manufacturer or distributor that collects a deposit on a beverage container sold or distributed in Vermont. The organization must create and carry out a stewardship plan for returning and handling beverage containers. If deposit initiators do not form an organization or carry out the plan, the Agency of Natural Resources may carry out the plan and charge the deposit initiators its costs plus a 25 percent penalty. Deposit initiators must form the organization by January 1, 2027. They may not sell or distribute covered containers without participating in an approved organization beginning July 1, 2027. The plan must begin operating March 1, 2029.
The act sets handling fees for retailers and redemption centers and requires covered containers to carry approved identifying information and a barcode. The rules cover beverage containers with deposits, including liquor containers. Containers larger than three liters are outside the redemption program. Containers may use any labeling method approved by the Agency of Natural Resources if it keeps the required information attached. Each covered container sold or offered for sale in Vermont must include a Universal Product Code and barcode. The fees are four and one-half cents for containers in a commingling program, five cents for other containers, and four and one-half cents for redeemed liquor containers. The supplied text does not state a separate start date for the labeling and general handling-fee rules. Fair compensation under a stewardship plan begins March 1, 2029.
Producer responsibility organizations would provide redemption opportunities across Vermont, while some smaller retailers could refuse returns after the plan begins. Plans must cover at least three redemption points in each county and at least one in municipalities with 7,000 or more people, subject to stated waivers and exceptions. At least one redemption point in each county and qualifying municipality must provide an immediate deposit refund unless the Secretary or Agency of Natural Resources grants or finds an exception. A retailer in a building smaller than 5,000 square feet may refuse returns after the plan is operating. A manufacturer selling directly to consumers may do the same at a qualifying small location. Redemption locations must refuse containers that are dirty, broken, incorrectly labeled, bought outside Vermont, already redeemed, or not registered with the organization. The plan must begin operating March 1, 2029. From March 1, 2029 through July 1, 2030, participating locations receive four and one-half cents per container or negotiated compensation; after July 1, 2030, compensation is negotiated.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29House message: Governor approved bill on June 17, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 17, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 11, 2026To Governor
- May 28House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 27Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 27Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 27Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 26Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 26Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
- May 26Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 26New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 223rd reading ordered
- May 22Proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy agreed toMinor
- May 22Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 22Reported favorably by Senator Hardy for Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 22Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Beck for Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 22Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 22Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 22Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 22New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 21Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 21Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 21Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 21Second ReadingMinor
- May 21Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 20Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- May 20Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 20Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 20Second ReadingMinor
- May 20Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 12Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
- May 12Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 12Second ReadingMinor
- May 12Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 27Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Mar 25Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 25Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Third Reading orderedMinor
- Mar 24Rep. Squirrell of Underhill recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- Mar 24Rep. Burkhardt of South Burlington recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means
- Mar 24Rep. Morris of Springfield reported for the Committee on Environment
- Mar 24Read second timeMinor
- Mar 24Action Calendar: Favorable
- Mar 20Notice Calendar: Favorable
- Mar 10Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
- Mar 10Notice Calendar: Favorable
- Feb 25Committee bill read first time and referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)Introduced
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