Next policy steps and cleanup event…
Plastic and aluminum beverage containers pulled from Baltimore’s waterways. Adding a refundable deposit to the purchase of beverages in single use containers would create an incentive for empty containers to be returned for recycling instead of thrown away or discarded as litter into the environment, helping to create a closed loop bottle-to-bottle or can-to-can recycling system.
With the 2025 General Assembly session barely behind us, we at Trash Free Maryland are working with our coalition and organizations from across the state to build momentum for more ambitious policies to reduce trash pollution at the source.
Beverage Deposit Return
While HB232, the Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program (commonly known as the Bottle Bill), did not pass this year, the bill advanced further than ever before—earning meaningful support and a favorable report from the House Environment & Transportation Committee, generating active dialogue among legislators, and being recognized with specific language in the recently enacted Producer Responsibility for Packaging and Paper products (SB901).
This means we are not starting from scratch on recycling refund legislation next year. We can build on the momentum of this proven policy to reduce plastic pollution in our waterways and communities and bring this bill back stronger than ever.
We’re heartened. We’re mobilized.
Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging
As implementation of SB901 begins, we are working to make sure Maryland gets it right. Trash Free Maryland is actively participating as a member of Maryland Department of the Environment’s Packaging Advisory Council, collaborating with our colleagues to implement best practices in Maryland's packaging producer responsibility program regulations. Specific goals for waste reduction and other environmental benefits will be developed in phases. We will keep you informed on this process and share opportunities for you to weigh in. Ensuring strong, equitable, ambitious, and effective implementation of packaging EPR is essential to improving packaging design and building the foundation for complementary policies like a bottle deposit program, recycled content requirements, and strong markets that build demand for high quality recycled materials.
Plastic Bag Bans and Policies
Encouraging shoppers to bring their own bags has taken hold throughout Maryland, with carryout plastic bag ban or fee policies in place in 17 jurisdictions. Read more about plastic bag policies in MD on our website. In January, Montgomery County updated its bag bill - one of Maryland's original bag policies that we helped pass - to include a ban on plastic carryout bags and to increase the charge for paper bags to ten cents. In May, Queen Anne's County considered but did not pass a similar plastic bag ban. Plastic Free QAC organized a strong panel to testify in support. We testified in support of the bag bills in both counties and continue to support strong bag policies across the state. We know from cleanup data that bag bans and fees are readily implementable and effective solutions to reduce litter.
June 29th South Baltimore Brewery District Cleanup
We love to meet others who care about a litter-free environment! Join us for a community litter cleanup in South Baltimore! Our generous partners Checkerspot Brewing Company, Pickett Brewing Company, Wico Street Beer Co, & M8 Beer Co are offering vouchers for a free refreshment to volunteers and Baltimore Community Toolbank is providing cleanup supplies. Just prepare for hot weather and bring your refillable water bottle! We'll chat about legislative priorities while counting common litter sources, collecting data, leaving the area cleaner, and protecting the watershed from more trash pollution. Join us!
When: Sunday, June 29th, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: 701 West Ostend Street, Baltimore
How: Register here for more details and to sign our waiver.
