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Stakeholder Impact

Redemption Centers

        The big change: Certification shifts from optional ("may obtain") to mandatory ("shall obtain"). All centers must register with the Secretary of Natural Resources.
      

New Protections

PRO must provide fair compensation covering reasonable operating costs plus a reasonable rate of return
Brand-sorting at redemption points is eliminated — a major operational relief
Binding dispute resolution via neutral third party if compensation disputes arise
PRO must ensure timely equipment service and container pickup

New Obligations

Fixed locations must be open at least 35 hours/week, including 6 consecutive hours on Saturday
Mobile redemption points: 15 hours/week, including 4 consecutive Saturday hours
Sites must be secure and sufficiently lit
Must comply with all recycling and transport laws

Transition Grants Available

Centers certified as of January 1, 2026 that haven't received PRO infrastructure investments can apply for grants.

$0.005 per container redeemed — up to $350,000/year total, awarded first-come, first-served.

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Stakeholder Impact

Store & Retail Owners

        Key relief: Retailers with buildings under 5,000 sq. ft. can opt out of redemption once the PRO's stewardship plan is implemented — March 1, 2029. No Secretary approval required.
      

Until March 1, 2029

Must continue accepting containers of the kind, size, and brand you sell
Must pay the refund value to customers
Current handling fees remain in effect

Deposit Amounts

5¢ — most beverages (beer, soda, water, wine coolers)
15¢ — liquor bottles over 50ml
Liquor bottle deposit difference retained by Liquor Control Enterprise Fund

Current Handling Fees

(Until March 1, 2029 — then replaced by PRO fair compensation)

Container Type	Fee
Brands in commingling program	3.5¢
Brands NOT in commingling	5¢

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Stakeholder Impact

Soda & Beer Distributors

        The fundamental shift: Distributors lose their central role. Responsibility transfers to a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), which all deposit initiators must join by January 1, 2027 — or be prohibited from selling in Vermont.
      

PRO Requirements

Must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Cannot create unreasonable barriers to entry, especially for small manufacturers
Stewardship plan due to Secretary by April 1, 2028
Plan must be implemented by March 1, 2029
PRO can charge fees to deposit initiators to fund operations

Redemption Rate Goals

If PRO fails to meet these targets, the Secretary can mandate corrective action — including additional redemption sites and outreach.

Date	Required Rate
July 1, 2030	75%
July 1, 2033	80%

Abandoned Deposits

Distributors still report quarterly
Remit unclaimed deposits to Commissioner of Taxes
Funds flow to the Clean Water Fund
Some diverted to recycling infrastructure grants 2030–2033

Note: Liquor Distributors Are Exempt

Manufacturers and distributors of liquor are exempt from PRO membership requirements and the stewardship plan. Liquor bottle redemption is handled separately through the Department of Liquor and Lottery with its own reporting and rate goals.

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Planning Guide

Key Dates to Know

July 1, 2026

All Parties Act takes effect

July 1, 2027

Distributors PRO membership required & UPC labels required on all containers

April 1, 2028

PRO Stewardship plan due to Secretary of Natural Resources

March 1, 2029

Retailers Plan implemented — small retailers (<5,000 sq. ft.) may opt out of redemption

July 1, 2030

Rate Goal 75% beverage container redemption rate required statewide

July 1, 2033

Rate Goal 80% beverage container redemption rate required statewide

H.915 — Bottle Bill Overhaul

Redemption Centers

New Protections

New Obligations

Transition Grants Available

Store & Retail Owners

Until March 1, 2029

Deposit Amounts

Current Handling Fees

Soda & Beer Distributors

PRO Requirements

Redemption Rate Goals

Abandoned Deposits

Note: Liquor Distributors Are Exempt

Key Dates to Know

The Bottom Line