Take Action!
Tell your legislators: It’s time to fix Rhode Island's broken recycling system!
A 121,000 ton Problem
121,000 tons of recyclable material are lost annually in Rhode Island due to recycling inefficiencies, a significant economic and environmental setback.
26%
The current recycling rate of 26% fails to meet the state’s 35% recycling mandate
135K
Pieces of trash collected by Save the Bay just in the fall of 2023
638lbs
Annual amount of household recyclables rejected due to contamination in Providence
$15.6M
Annual amount spent on municipal recycling collection which can be lowered with the new bill
The Solution: Bills H 6207 & S 996
Urge your legislators to support bills H6207 and S 996– a comprehensive solution that combines a “Bottle Bill” (Deposit Return System) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – to reform and revamp Rhode Island’s outdated recycling system without burdening businesses, consumers, taxpayers or towns!
H 6207 and S 996 is Rhode Island’s most ambitious recycling reform effort to date. It includes a:
“Bottle Bill” (Deposit Return System)
A 10-cent refundable deposit on beverage containers to reduce litter and boost recycling. Consumers return bottles and cans to get their deposit back.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Shifts costs, management, and responsibility of the recycling system to producers (e.g., consumer brands), encouraging sustainable design.
Together, these policies promote a circular economy–where materials are reused and recycled instead of littered or landfilled.
Why We Need Reform
Rhode Island’s recycling system is costly, inefficient, and underperforming.
Too many recyclable materials end up in our landfill –or worse– as litter in our neighborhoods, shorelines, or streets. We need bold, proven solutions that:
Increase recycling rates
Reduce litter and pollution
Build long-term sustainability
Provide high volume, high quality recycled material for domestic manufacturers
Shift the burden away from towns and taxpayers to the private sector
Act now!
Send a message to your lawmakers and urge them to support bills H 6207 and S 996 to bring real change and reform Rhode Island’s recycling system.