Councilmember Allen: Now is Not the Time for a Bottle Bill

D.C. residents are already dealing with a high cost of living in the District. Local businesses are struggling to stay open and support their employees. Any new bill that would make living in the District harder and hurt the small businesses that are crucial to the city is not the answer.

Our city needs support, not higher prices.

Tell Councilmember Allen: Say NO to the D.C. Bottle Bill TODAY!

Councilmember Allen,

I am writing as a resident of Ward 6 to express my concern and opposition to the D.C. Bottle Bill. This proposal would hurt working families and local businesses already struggling to keep up with the cost of living in the District.

We all want to protect our environment and improve recycling in Ward 6, but costly policies that make it even harder for our city to prosper and our neighbors to get by are not the answer.

The D.C. Bottle Bill would add another financial burden on families who can’t afford higher grocery bills. Under the proposal, a 24-pack of water would cost $2.40 more, and a 12-pack of iced tea would cost $1.20 more. Isn’t the cost of groceries high enough?

These price hikes would disproportionately burden low-income residents who are stretching dollars to make ends meet. Seniors and low-income residents who don’t have access to reliable transportation to redeem their bottles and cans will end up paying more.

Local businesses would have to pay more too. Many stores would have to deal with the burden of managing a bottle deposit system, creating additional costs and administrative burdens they can’t afford, which will likely include having to hire and reallocate staff. These businesses are fighting to stay afloat and retain workers. They are the heart of our communities, and the last thing they need now is new challenges to deal with.

I ask that you stand with the families and businesses that make our Ward and our city strong. Councilmember Allen, I urge you to OPPOSE the D.C. Bottle Bill and instead work to find a better solution to protect our city and our environment.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
______

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Address

Zip