VT H0915

Requires all beverage container manufacturers and distributors to participate in a Secretary-approved producer responsibility organization (PRO) by January 1, 2027, which must submit a stewardship plan by April 1, 2028 to manage collection and recycling of containers

Establishes deposit amounts of 5 cents for most beverage containers and 15 cents for liquor bottles over 50 ml, with handling fees of 3.5 cents per container for commingled brands and 5 cents for non-commingled brands

Sets minimum redemption point requirements including at least 3 per county and at least 1 per municipality with population over 7,000, with goals of 75% redemption rate by July 1, 2029 and 80% by July 1, 2032

Directs unclaimed beverage container deposits to the Clean Water Fund, with provisions allowing up to $1 million annually in fiscal years 2030-2031 and $750,000 in 2032-2033 to be transferred to the Solid Waste Management Assistance Account for implementation grants

Takes effect July 1, 2026, with UPC labeling requirements effective July 1, 2027 and the prohibition on sales without PRO participation effective March 1, 2028