Washington’s recycling system is not working the way it should—and our shorelines, waterways, and communities are paying the price.
Each year, an estimated 3.8 billion glass, plastic, and metal bottles and cans are produced in Washington. The majority of them are not recycled. Instead, they end up in landfills, incinerators, or worse—polluting our beaches, waterways, and the Salish Sea.
Right now, the Washington State Legislature is considering a powerful, proven solution: Washington’s Bottle Bill (HB 1607 / SB 5502). This legislation would establish a refundable beverage container deposit system designed to dramatically increase recycling rates, reduce litter, and cut climate pollution. Lawmakers need to hear from constituents now that this solution matters.
Why Friends of the San Juans Is Engaged
Friends of the San Juans supports strong, science-based policies that prevent pollution at its source and protect the Salish Sea from plastic and marine debris. The Bottle Bill is a clear example of upstream prevention, stopping waste before it reaches our marine ecosystems.
We are actively engaged in policy advocacy and coalition work to elevate the environmental benefits of this bill, particularly its role in reducing plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that directly impact the Salish Sea and Southern Resident killer whales. We are proud to stand alongside Zero Waste Washington and other partners in urging lawmakers to pass this common-sense recycling reform.
What’s at Stake If Washington Fails to Act
Without meaningful reform, the consequences are clear:
- Millions of bottles and cans will continue to pollute shorelines, waterways, and marine habitats
- Plastic pollution will persist in the Salish Sea, harming wildlife and ecosystem health
- Valuable materials will be wasted instead of recycled and reused
- Taxpayers—not producers—will continue to shoulder the cost of an ineffective recycling system
- Greenhouse gas emissions from producing new plastic and aluminum will remain unnecessarily high
The Opportunity Before Us
Passing Washington’s Bottle Bill would:
- Create a 10-cent refundable deposit on glass, plastic, and metal beverage containers
- Give people the option to receive their refund as cash, a charitable donation, or a college fund contribution
- Significantly increase recycling rates and reduce litter statewide
- Work in tandem with the Recycling Reform Act (passed in 2025), which established extended producer responsibility—ensuring beverage companies, not taxpayers, fund recycling and return centers
- Reduce plastic pollution and climate impacts, protecting the Salish Sea for future generations
Bottle deposit systems are already working successfully in other states. Washington has the opportunity to join them with a system that reflects our environmental values.
Take Action Today
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