Bring Back Refill
California
We need a California Reusable Beverage Container Act, which would lead to 2.9 billion fewer plastic bottles produced and 32 million fewer bottles and cans littered every year.
Imagine, for example, 25% of bottled water and soda being sold in packaging that gets returned, washed, refilled and reused.
Ways to Take Action
1. Send a Postcard to Your Reps

Mail a handwritten postcard directly to your California state representatives.
These “Wish You Were Here” vintage vacation-inspired postcards feature different countries that are reuse success stories. Germany and the Philippines have over 50% of their bottled beverages sold in reusables and refilled!
We provide postcards, stamps, sample messages, and recommendations of who to write to.
2. Message Your Reps
Easily message your state reps with a few clicks.
Learn More
A California Reusable Beverage Container Act would:
- Slash plastic pollution, reduce packaging waste, and tackle litter by reducing single-use plastic bottles and creating a state-wide circular economy for beverages.
- Save local government and taxpayers $75 million by reducing recycling, litter, and waste management costs.
- Create 11,800 good green jobs in the state; reusables create jobs in transporting, sorting, washing and refilling.
- Support frontline communities and environmental justice efforts by reducing dependence on toxic plastic, which pollutes at every step of production, from extraction to disposal.
- Hold corporations accountable for their waste and ensure beverage companies make better packaging choices for people and the planet.
We have an opportunity to pass legislation that requires major beverage companies to sell a percentage of their drinks in reusable, refillable bottles and cans. A bill like this has never been passed before in the US. Let’s make California a leader for more states to follow. Learn more about the Bring Back Refill campaign.


Thank you for advocating! Change doesn’t happen without changemakers like you.
Questions? Email Alex at alex [at] storyofstuff [dot] org.