Bill > H0119

This bill proposes to expand Vermont's beverage container redemption system by adding several new types of beverages to the existing list of redeemable containers and increasing the deposit amount. Specifically, the bill will modify the definition of "beverage" to include cider, hard kombucha (a fermented tea-based alcoholic drink), and both carbonated and noncarbonated water and soft drinks. The bill also increases the deposit amount from five cents to 10 cents per container, meaning consumers will pay more upfront when purchasing these beverages but will receive a higher refund when returning empty containers. New definitions are added for cider, hard kombucha, and soft drinks to provide clarity in the law. The bill provides detailed explanations for these new beverage types, such as defining hard kombucha as a fermented beverage with at least 0.5% alcohol by volume. An important implementation detail is that these changes will not take effect until January 1, 2026, giving businesses and consumers time to adjust to the new requirements. The expanded redemption system aims to encourage recycling and reduce waste by making more types of beverage containers eligible for deposit and refund.