Rhode Island · RI · Food & drink
Rhode Island: Is there a bottle deposit?
No bottle deposit
Rhode Island has no bottle deposit law. The state is studying a possible 10-cent deposit system, but none has passed.
Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management is studying a deposit return system and producer-paid packaging recycling, with a final report due by December 1, 2026. No deposit bill appears among the state's 2026 public laws, and no deposit law is in effect.
What the law says
Provide case analysis to best position Rhode Island decision makers as they consider the policy options of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper and a Deposit Return System (DRS).
Sources
- RIDEM / RRS, Statewide Implementation Analysis for Beverage Container Plan, Advisory Council Meeting #1 (July 21, 2026) Official · dem.ri.gov
- NCSL, State Beverage Container Deposit Laws (deposit-state chart) Secondary · ncsl.org
- Container Recycling Institute, existing U.S. deposit programs Secondary · bottlebill.org
- Rhode Island Legislative Council: Beverage Container Laws Overview (2023), lists the ten deposit states Official · rilegislature.gov
- Rhode Island 2026 public laws list Official · webserver.rilegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
- Website
- dem.ri.gov
How bordering states compare
- Connecticut Bottle deposit lawConnecticut puts a refundable 10-cent deposit on most beverage containers, including soda, beer, water, juice and sports drinks.
- Massachusetts Bottle deposit lawMassachusetts requires a refundable deposit of at least 5 cents on soda, carbonated water, mineral water, and beer containers.
All 50 states for this question · Other topics in Rhode Island