TX SB728

Establishes the Beverage Container Recycling Refund Program requiring beverage producers to form the Texas Beverage Container Recycling Consortium, a nonprofit corporation responsible for creating and maintaining a recycling system for glass, metal, and plastic beverage containers one gallon or less in size

Requires retailers to collect deposits on beverage containers and mandates containers meet labeling standards showing refund amounts; exempts containers holding milk, dairy products, infant formula, and medical foods from the program

Creates a Recycling Refund Trust Fund maintained by the consortium to pay for redemption center construction and operation, refund payments, consumer education, reimbursements to curbside recycling programs, and disaster relief beverage distribution

Sets a mandatory recycling rate target of at least 75% for beverage containers by January 1, 2035; if the target is missed by more than two years, TCEQ can require the consortium to remit trust fund money to the state until a corrective plan is approved

Takes effect September 1, 2025, with TCEQ required to adopt implementation rules by September 1, 2026; labeling and deposit requirements take effect October 1, 2028, and compliance with consortium requirements begins January 1, 2028