NC H344

Establishes a 10-cent refundable deposit on beverage containers between 50 milliliters and 3 liters, with deposits collected at point of sale and refunded when containers are returned to dealers or redemption centers

Requires distributors to register beverage containers with the Department, collect deposits, accept returned containers from dealers/redemption centers, and pay handling fees for each container redeemed

Sets escalating performance standards: 80% redemption by July 2027 rising to 95% by July 2031, and 70% recycling of single-use containers by July 2027 rising to 85% by July 2031

Creates the Beverage Container Litter Reduction Account funded by unredeemed deposits to cover program administration (capped at $1 million reserve) and provide grants for litter abatement, recycling education, and redemption center incentives in environmental justice communities

Takes effect January 1, 2026, with certain provisions (program administration, labeling requirements, distributor registration, account creation) effective April 1, 2026