Washington · WA · Food & drink
Washington: Is there a bottle deposit?
No bottle deposit
Washington has no bottle deposit law; a 2025 recycling law only studies one and plans for a possible future system.
The 2025 Recycling Reform Act set up a producer-funded packaging recycling program and ordered studies of a beverage deposit system. The law says a deposit system would be harmonized with the program only if one is enacted in the future. Deposit bills (SB 5502 and HB 1607) stalled in the 2025-2026 session, and the Department of Ecology says no decision has been made.
What the law says
It is the intent of the legislature that if a bottle deposit return system is enacted in the future, it will be harmonized with this chapter in a manner that ensures that:
Sources
- RCW 70A.208.250 Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- RCW 70A.208.240 (study of deposit return system) Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- Ecology: Recycling Refund Community Engagement Study Official · ecology.wa.gov
- SB 5502 bill summary (2025-26) Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- HB 1607 bill summary (2025-26) Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- Rhode Island Legislative Council: Beverage Container Laws Overview (2023), lists the ten deposit states Official · rilegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Washington State Department of Ecology, Solid Waste Management Program
- Phone
- 360-791-4849
- Website
- ecology.wa.gov
How bordering states compare
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