Rhode Island DEM Draft Report Backs Bottle Bill, Packaging Fee Plan for Higher Recycling

Rhode Island would need to pair a bottle deposit with a producer-funded packaging program to push its recycling diversion rate past 40%, according to a draft state analysis released this month for public comment.

The Department of Environmental Management hired the consulting firm RRS to model five options for improving recycling, all built around bills that have stalled in the General Assembly in recent years. The draft was posted for comment earlier in October, and comments are due to DEM by Nov. 16.

One scenario models a program shaped on Oregon and California law. It would divert 47% of materials, up from the 13% Rhode Island diverts now. Under that model, 140,410 tons of material would be kept out of landfills and the Central Landfill in Johnston would gain five years of life. A combined bottle bill and extended producer responsibility program as drafted in prior legislation would divert 33% and add 80,000 tons of material, extending the Central Landfill's life by 2.6 years. A packaging program alone would reach 29% diversion, and a bottle deposit alone would reach 20%.

RRS wrote that the current system carries stable funding and a regulatory base but performs poorly. "Current performance is low, processing technology is dated, and data collection processes are limited," the firm wrote. It also wrote that added local spending and planned upgrades to materials recovery facilities are "not expected to meaningfully increase diversion toward statewide targets."

The costs land differently by group. Under the analysis, DEM, Rhode Island Resource Recovery and municipalities would save money or see no change under any of the models. Producers and brand owners pay under every scenario. Consumers pay only if they do not return containers for the deposit. "Consumers only experience costs under plans with DRS because of unclaimed deposits," the analysis states. "Municipalities and ratepayers see gains under most plans because PRO funding is expected to offset current municipal recycling costs for EPR programs."

The study grew out of legislation passed in June 2025 that directed DEM and Rhode Island Resource Recovery to examine how to run a deposit and packaging program. That law followed a commission chaired by Rep. Carol McEntee, D-South Kingstown, which met from summer 2023 through spring 2025. The commission recommended a bottle bill, a packaging program, or both. Some members declined to sign on; liquor store owners and convenience store owners sent their own letter to the General Assembly asking for more study of the existing system.

Bottle deposit bills have met opposition from beverage producers including Coca Cola and from a lobby of locally owned liquor stores, which argued a deposit would put them at a disadvantage against stores across the line in Massachusetts. McEntee has repeatedly offered to work with opponents on compromise language.

The draft report is posted on DEM's website and comments close Nov. 16.