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Watch the Replay: Texas-Sized Momentum for Recycling Refunds - A Recording of the June 17 LinkedIn Live
- NSAC
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
Texas-Sized Momentum: What’s Next for Recycling Refunds? Watch the Recording of the June 17 LinkedIn Live
On June 17, the National Stewardship Action Council's (NSAC) Executive Director Heidi Sanborn joined Maia Corbitt, President of Texans for Clean Water and NSAC Board Vice President, for a special LinkedIn Live conversation about the future of recycling refunds in Texas.
The spotlight was on House Bill 2048—a bold, bipartisan proposal that would create a no-cost Beverage Container Recycling Refund Program to boost recycling, reduce litter, and keep valuable materials in the Texas economy. The bill advanced further than ever before this session, making it to the General State Calendar with strong support across party lines and sectors. But with time running out, it did not receive a floor vote.
Still, the momentum is real—and growing.
Watch the Reply from the LinkedIn Live
Why It Matters
HB 2048 proposed a simple but powerful shift: return money to Texans who recycle their beverage containers, just like Oregon and ten other states already do. According to supporters, the bill could reduce waste, keep communities cleaner, and ensure that producers—not taxpayers—are responsible for funding the system.
With dozens of PET recycling and manufacturing companies operating in Texas, the proposal also gained traction as a business-forward strategy. According to the Texas Bottle Bill Coalition, a producer-funded system would help secure a stable, domestic supply of recycled content and reduce contamination in the recycling stream.
Highlights from the LinkedIn Live Conversation
During the June 17 session, Heidi and Maia offered an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the legislative journey:
How bipartisan support came together around a no-cost model
Why early coalition-building and industry engagement worked
What advocates learned about timing, messaging, and negotiation
How producer responsibility was positioned as both fair and strategic
They also emphasized the importance of keeping the coalition strong and active in the interim—especially as interest in recycling refunds, sometimes referred to as "bottle bills" continues to rise nationwide.
What’s Next for NSAC and Recycling Refunds?
Join the Recycling Refunds Working Group
Want to stay engaged and connect with experts leading the conversation around recycling refunds? Join NSAC’s Recycling Refunds Working Group to collaborate with advocates, policymakers, and industry leaders shaping the future of deposit-return systems.
📩 Email Heidi Sanborn at Heidi@nsaction.us to learn more and get involved.
Join Our July 10 Member Strategy Session
NSAC and Stewardship Action Foundation (SAF) members are invited to an exclusive members-only strategy session titled:
“From Momentum to Movement: Deep Dive on HB 2048 & the Future of Recycling Refunds in Texas”
📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, July 10, 2025 at 12 p.m. CT
Speakers: Heidi Sanborn and Maia Corbitt Who’s Invited: Members of NSAC and SAF
During this exclusive session, we’ll cover:
The structure of HB 2048 and why it gained bipartisan support
Lessons learned from this year’s campaign
What a winning coalition needs in Texas
A 2027 roadmap for meaningful progress
While a 2027 reintroduction is a goal, actual timing will depend on legislative opportunity, continued outreach, and coalition development.
Register for the July 10 strategy session today.
Not a member yet? Organizational memberships begin at $1,000 pear year. Join today to be part of shaping what comes next.
The Bottom Line
Texas came closer than ever to passing a smart, fair, and effective recycling refund program. Now’s the time to turn momentum into movement.
By building a broader coalition, refining our message, and learning from this year’s effort, we can make 2027 the year Texas finally delivers recycling refunds to its residents.
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