ACTION ALERT:
THE D.C. BOTTLE BILL IS THE WRONG SOLUTION

Let’s work together to make sure changes in the D.C.’s recycling program do not harm our city’s residents and small businesses with costly new burdens.

HELP PROTECT D.C. FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES!

Right now, D.C. is in flux. The cost of living is high and expensive for too many residents and businesses. Many people and neighborhood businesses are struggling. Now the D.C. Council is considering a costly bottle bill that would raise prices on everyday grocery items for families and hurt local small businesses even more.

Our city needs support, not higher prices.

Tell your Councilmember: say NO to a bottle bill TODAY.

D.C. residents are struggling to afford rising grocery prices and the high cost of living. Small businesses have been hit hard by inflation and decreased customer traffic downtown following the pandemic. Now, the D.C. Council has proposed a bottle bill that would increase prices of nearly all beverages, costing families more at the grocery store and putting small businesses in jeopardy.

D.C. IS ALREADY TOO EXPENSIVE

A 24-pack of water would cost consumers an extra $2.40 under the new Bottle Bill. A 12-pack of iced tea or beer would cost an extra $1.20.

Families

This price increase would disproportionately hurt working families and low-income residents least capable of paying it. The proposal includes automatic annual increases to the deposit, putting even more financial pressure on people struggling to afford increased prices on their groceries.

D.C. Taxpayers

Millions of empty containers from surrounding states—none of which have bottle/can deposit programs—could be redeemed in D.C., even though no deposit was ever paid. This would cost millions in fraudulent refunds and fees paid, hurting small businesses and the city.

It’s important that we take steps to improve recycling and protect our environment. But this cannot come on the backs of hardworking families and local businesses who are already struggling to afford living and working in the District.

Small Businesses

Small businesses have been hit hard by inflation and decreased customer traffic that followed the pandemic. They would be forced to absorb some of the costs of this program and could lose sales to Virginia and Maryland, which do not add deposits to their beverages. This loss is sales  cuts into the already tight profit margins. That risks employee jobs and job hours.

We Are the Alliance for an Affordable D.C.

The Alliance for an Affordable D.C. is a group of 550+ local residents, businesses and community organizations committed to supporting and protecting working families, neighborhood businesses and jobs in the District.

JOIN OUR COALITION

Join us in uplifting and protecting small businesses in the District.

IN THE NEWS

Check out which Alliance members have been featured in the news.

Published in Washington Business Journal

Viewpoint: D.C. can’t afford policies that weaken its business climate

Posted on – Washington Business Journal By Chinyere Hubbard – D.C. Read More

From Afford DC

Trade Association Letter Letter to D.C. Tax Revision Commission

D.C. Tax Revision Commission 1101 4th St., SW, Suite W770 Washington… Read More

From Afford DC

Alliance Letter to D.C. Tax Revision Commission

D.C. Tax Revision Commission1101 4th St., SW, Suite W770Washington… Read More

© 2025
Brought to you by the Alliance for an Affordable D.C. with support provided by the American Beverage Association and the Food Industry Association.