Pollution, waste, and recycling policy ballot measures

Voters have decided on pollution, waste, and recycling policy ballot measures across the U.S. As a state ballot measure topic, this includes measures regarding pollution control, waste disposal, toxins, environmental cleanup, and recycling programs. The topic is grouped within the environment and energy policy area.

This page provides information on:

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• Comprehensive list of ballot measures by year and state

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Upcoming ballot measures

See also: 2026 ballot measures and 2027 ballot measures

The following is a list of state ballot measures related to this topic that are certified or potential for this year and future elections:

2026

1. Arkansas Environmental Preservation Amendment (2026) - Potential
2. Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Bond Measure (2026) - On the ballot

List of state ballot measures

Click the tabs to view state ballot measures related to this topic, organized by year or state.

Years

States

2026

1. Arkansas Environmental Preservation Amendment (2026) - Potential
2. Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Bond Measure (2026) - On the ballot

2025

1. Ohio Issue 2, Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment (May 2025)

2024

1. California Proposition 4, Parks, Environment, Energy, and Water Bond Measure (2024)

2022

1. New York Proposal 1, Environmental Bond Measure (2022)

2019

1. Washington Advisory Vote 22, Nonbinding Question on Paint Tax to Fund Paint Waste Management Programs (2019)

2014

1. Massachusetts Question 2, Expansion of Bottle Deposits Initiative (2014)

2008

1. Alaska Measure 4, Water Standards at New Metallic Mineral Mines Initiative (August 2008)

2006

1. Alaska Measure 2, Cruise Ship Taxes, Fees, and Environmental Regulations Initiative (August 2006)

2004

1. Washington Initiative 297, Mixed Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Cleanup Measure (2004)

2003

1. Maine Question 4, Bond Issue for Water Pollution and Drinking Water Measure (2003)

2002

1. Maine Question 2, Bond Issue to Fund Water Treatment, Public Health, and a Public Geographic Database Measure (2002)
2. Michigan Proposal 02-2, Water Quality Projects Bond Measure (2002)

2001

1. Maine Question 5, Bond Issue to Fund Water Treatment Facilities, Pollution Abatement, and Agricultural Projects Measure (2001)

1998

1. Colorado Amendment 14, Regulations on Commercial Hog Farms Initiative (1998)
2. Michigan Proposal C, Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Bond Measure (1998)

1996

1. Florida Amendment 5, Payment for Water Pollution in the Everglades Initiative (1996)
2. Florida Amendment 6, Everglades Trust Fund Initiative (1996)
3. Oregon Measure 37, Deposits and Recycle Refunds on Beverage Containers Initiative (1996)

1992

1. Georgia Amendment 4, Loans for Waste and Recycling Facilities Amendment (1992)
2. Maine Question 1, Recycling and Solid Waste Landfill Closures Bond Measure (1992)
3. Massachusetts Question 3, Recycling and Environmental Standards for Packaging Initiative (1992)
4. Massachusetts Question 4, Hazardous Substances Excise Tax Initiative (1992)
5. South Dakota Initiated Measure 2, Regulate Gold and Silver Mining Measure (1992)
6. South Dakota Referred Law 1, Lonetree Waste Facility Measure (1992)

1991

1. Maine Question 3, Bond Issue to Fund Water Pollution Control Facilities Measure (1991)
2. Maine Question 6, Bond Issue to Fund Recycling, Water Treatment, and Solid Waste Facilities Measure (1991)

1990

1. Maine Question 4, Bond Issue to Fund the Department of Environmental Protection Measure (1990)
2. Oregon Measure 6, Require Reusable or Recyclable Packaging Initiative (1990)
3. South Dakota Initiated Measure 1, Approval for Waste Facility Measure (1990)

1989

1. Maine Question 10, Bond Issue to Fund Solid Waste Landfills Clean Up and Closure Measure (1989)
2. Maine Question 4, Bond Issue to Fund Regional and Municipal Recycling Measure (1989)
3. Maine Question 9, Bond Issue to Fund Air Quality Projects in Public Schools Measure (1989)

1988

1. Michigan Proposal C, Environmental Protection Programs Bond Measure (1988)
2. South Dakota Initiated Measure 2, Mining Tax Measure (1988)
3. Washington Initiative 97 and Alternative Measure 97B, Hazardous Waste Tax and Clean-Up Program Measure (1988)

1987

1. Maine Question 11, Bond Issue to Fund Asbestos Clean-Up in State Facilities and Public Schools Measure (1987)
2. Maine Question 6, Bond Issue to Fund Oil Storage Tank Removal and Ground Water Restoration Measure (1987)
3. Maine Question 7, Bond Issue to Fund State Facilities Repairs and Asbestos Removal Measure (1987)
4. Ohio Issue 2, Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment (1987)

1986

1. California Proposition 65, Environmental Health and Chemical Regulations and Warning Requirements Initiative (1986)
2. Massachusetts Question 4, Identification and Remediation of Hazardous Waste Sites Initiative (1986)
3. Massachusetts Question 8, National Acid Rain Control Program Advisory Question (1986)
4. Oklahoma State Question 596, Solid Waste Management Services Measure (August 1986)
5. Rhode Island Hazardous Waste Reduction, Recycling and Treatment Technologies, Bond Proposal 8 (1986)

1985

1. Maine Question 2, Bond Issue to Fund Water Quality Improvement Facilities Measure (1985)
2. South Dakota Question 1, Radioactive Waste Management Compact Measure (1985)

1984

1. Maine Bond Issue to Fund Pollution Abatement and Hazardous Waste Clean Up Measure (June 1984)
2. South Dakota Initiated Measure 1, Nuclear Waste Disposal Measure (1984)

1983

1. Maine Question 4, Bond Issue to Fund State Facilities Measure (1983)

1982

1. Arizona Proposition 200, Alcoholic Beverage Container Recycling Initiative (1982)
2. California Proposition 11, Beverage Container Return Program Initiative (1982)
3. Massachusetts Question 4, Refundable Deposit for Beverage Containers Referendum (1982)
4. Washington Initiative 414, Beverage Container Refund Measure (1982)

1981

1. Maine Referendum Question No. 5, Municipality Resource Conservation and Recovery Systems Bond Measure (1981)

1980

1. Florida Amendment 4, Water Facility Bonds Amendment (1980)
2. Montana Litter Control and Recycling, I-87 (1980)
3. South Dakota Initiated Measure 1, Uranium Mining and Nuclear Waste Initiative (1980)
4. Washington Referendum 39, Public Waste Disposal Facilities Bond Measure (1980)

1979

1. Washington Initiative 61, Beverage Container Recycling Deposit Measure (1979)

1978

1. Alaska Ballot Proposition 5, Bottle Deposit Refund Initiative (1978)
2. Nebraska Initiative Measure 301, Beverage Container Deposit Measure (1978)

1977

1. Maine Question 1, Pollution Abatement Facilities Bond Measure (December 1977)

1976

1. Colorado Amendment No. 8, Recycling and Reuse of Beverage Containers Initiative (1976)
2. Maine Minimum Bottle Refund Measure (1976)
3. Massachusetts Question 6, Beverage Container Refund Program Initiative (1976)
4. Michigan Proposal A, Returnable Beverage Containers Initiative (1976)

1972

1. Massachusetts Question 5, Environmental Constitutional Rights Amendment (1972)
2. North Carolina Conservation of Natural Resources Policy Amendment (1972)
3. Washington Initiative 40 and Alternative Measure 40B, Regulation of Litter Measure (1972)

1970

1. Florida Amendment 4, Bonds for Pollution Control and Waste Disposal Facilities Amendment (1970)
2. Maine Question 3, Oil Pollution Removal Bond Measure (1970)
3. Maine Question 4, Water Pollution Abatement Interest Repeal Bond Measure (1970)
4. Washington Initiative 256, Prohibit Non-Refundable Beverage Containers Measure (1970)
5. Washington Referendum 23, Water Pollution Control Bond Changes Measure (1970)

1969

1. Maine Question 8, Pollution Abatement Facilities Bond Measure (1969)

1968

1. Michigan Proposal No. 3, Water Pollution Abatement Bond Measure (1968)
2. Washington Referendum 17, Water Pollution Control Bonds Measure (1968)

1965

1. New York Proposition 1, Sewage Treatment Facilities Bond Measure (1965)

1964

1. Maine Pollution Abatement Facilities Bond Measure (1964)

1963

1. New York Amendment 7, Preserve Land for the Village of Saranac Lake for Refuse Disposal Amendment (1963)

1942

1. South Dakota State Oil and Gas Board and Regulations Referendum (1942)

Alaska

1. Alaska Ballot Proposition 5, Bottle Deposit Refund Initiative (1978)
2. Alaska Measure 2, Cruise Ship Taxes, Fees, and Environmental Regulations Initiative (August 2006)
3. Alaska Measure 4, Water Standards at New Metallic Mineral Mines Initiative (August 2008)

Arizona

1. Arizona Proposition 200, Alcoholic Beverage Container Recycling Initiative (1982)

Arkansas

1. Arkansas Environmental Preservation Amendment (2026) - Potential
2. Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Bond Measure (2026) - On the ballot

California

1. California Proposition 11, Beverage Container Return Program Initiative (1982)
2. California Proposition 4, Parks, Environment, Energy, and Water Bond Measure (2024)
3. California Proposition 65, Environmental Health and Chemical Regulations and Warning Requirements Initiative (1986)

Colorado

1. Colorado Amendment 14, Regulations on Commercial Hog Farms Initiative (1998)
2. Colorado Amendment No. 8, Recycling and Reuse of Beverage Containers Initiative (1976)

Florida

1. Florida Amendment 4, Bonds for Pollution Control and Waste Disposal Facilities Amendment (1970)
2. Florida Amendment 4, Water Facility Bonds Amendment (1980)
3. Florida Amendment 5, Payment for Water Pollution in the Everglades Initiative (1996)
4. Florida Amendment 6, Everglades Trust Fund Initiative (1996)

Georgia

1. Georgia Amendment 4, Loans for Waste and Recycling Facilities Amendment (1992)

Maine

1. Maine Bond Issue to Fund Pollution Abatement and Hazardous Waste Clean Up Measure (June 1984)
2. Maine Minimum Bottle Refund Measure (1976)
3. Maine Pollution Abatement Facilities Bond Measure (1964)
4. Maine Question 1, Pollution Abatement Facilities Bond Measure (December 1977)
5. Maine Question 1, Recycling and Solid Waste Landfill Closures Bond Measure (1992)
6. Maine Question 10, Bond Issue to Fund Solid Waste Landfills Clean Up and Closure Measure (1989)
7. Maine Question 11, Bond Issue to Fund Asbestos Clean-Up in State Facilities and Public Schools Measure (1987)
8. Maine Question 2, Bond Issue to Fund Water Quality Improvement Facilities Measure (1985)
9. Maine Question 2, Bond Issue to Fund Water Treatment, Public Health, and a Public Geographic Database Measure (2002)
10. Maine Question 3, Bond Issue to Fund Water Pollution Control Facilities Measure (1991)
11. Maine Question 3, Oil Pollution Removal Bond Measure (1970)
12. Maine Question 4, Bond Issue for Water Pollution and Drinking Water Measure (2003)
13. Maine Question 4, Bond Issue to Fund Regional and Municipal Recycling Measure (1989)
14. Maine Question 4, Bond Issue to Fund State Facilities Measure (1983)
15. Maine Question 4, Bond Issue to Fund the Department of Environmental Protection Measure (1990)
16. Maine Question 4, Water Pollution Abatement Interest Repeal Bond Measure (1970)
17. Maine Question 5, Bond Issue to Fund Water Treatment Facilities, Pollution Abatement, and Agricultural Projects Measure (2001)
18. Maine Question 6, Bond Issue to Fund Oil Storage Tank Removal and Ground Water Restoration Measure (1987)
19. Maine Question 6, Bond Issue to Fund Recycling, Water Treatment, and Solid Waste Facilities Measure (1991)
20. Maine Question 7, Bond Issue to Fund State Facilities Repairs and Asbestos Removal Measure (1987)
21. Maine Question 8, Pollution Abatement Facilities Bond Measure (1969)
22. Maine Question 9, Bond Issue to Fund Air Quality Projects in Public Schools Measure (1989)
23. Maine Referendum Question No. 5, Municipality Resource Conservation and Recovery Systems Bond Measure (1981)

Massachusetts

1. Massachusetts Question 2, Expansion of Bottle Deposits Initiative (2014)
2. Massachusetts Question 3, Recycling and Environmental Standards for Packaging Initiative (1992)
3. Massachusetts Question 4, Hazardous Substances Excise Tax Initiative (1992)
4. Massachusetts Question 4, Identification and Remediation of Hazardous Waste Sites Initiative (1986)
5. Massachusetts Question 4, Refundable Deposit for Beverage Containers Referendum (1982)
6. Massachusetts Question 5, Environmental Constitutional Rights Amendment (1972)
7. Massachusetts Question 6, Beverage Container Refund Program Initiative (1976)
8. Massachusetts Question 8, National Acid Rain Control Program Advisory Question (1986)

Michigan

1. Michigan Proposal 02-2, Water Quality Projects Bond Measure (2002)
2. Michigan Proposal A, Returnable Beverage Containers Initiative (1976)
3. Michigan Proposal C, Environmental Protection Programs Bond Measure (1988)
4. Michigan Proposal C, Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Bond Measure (1998)
5. Michigan Proposal No. 3, Water Pollution Abatement Bond Measure (1968)

Montana

1. Montana Litter Control and Recycling, I-87 (1980)

Nebraska

1. Nebraska Initiative Measure 301, Beverage Container Deposit Measure (1978)

New York

1. New York Amendment 7, Preserve Land for the Village of Saranac Lake for Refuse Disposal Amendment (1963)
2. New York Proposal 1, Environmental Bond Measure (2022)
3. New York Proposition 1, Sewage Treatment Facilities Bond Measure (1965)

North Carolina

1. North Carolina Conservation of Natural Resources Policy Amendment (1972)

Ohio

1. Ohio Issue 2, Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment (1987)
2. Ohio Issue 2, Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment (May 2025)

Oklahoma

1. Oklahoma State Question 596, Solid Waste Management Services Measure (August 1986)

Oregon

1. Oregon Measure 37, Deposits and Recycle Refunds on Beverage Containers Initiative (1996)
2. Oregon Measure 6, Require Reusable or Recyclable Packaging Initiative (1990)

Rhode Island

1. Rhode Island Hazardous Waste Reduction, Recycling and Treatment Technologies, Bond Proposal 8 (1986)

South Dakota

1. South Dakota Initiated Measure 1, Approval for Waste Facility Measure (1990)
2. South Dakota Initiated Measure 1, Nuclear Waste Disposal Measure (1984)
3. South Dakota Initiated Measure 1, Uranium Mining and Nuclear Waste Initiative (1980)
4. South Dakota Initiated Measure 2, Mining Tax Measure (1988)
5. South Dakota Initiated Measure 2, Regulate Gold and Silver Mining Measure (1992)
6. South Dakota Question 1, Radioactive Waste Management Compact Measure (1985)
7. South Dakota Referred Law 1, Lonetree Waste Facility Measure (1992)
8. South Dakota State Oil and Gas Board and Regulations Referendum (1942)

Washington

1. Washington Advisory Vote 22, Nonbinding Question on Paint Tax to Fund Paint Waste Management Programs (2019)
2. Washington Initiative 256, Prohibit Non-Refundable Beverage Containers Measure (1970)
3. Washington Initiative 297, Mixed Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Cleanup Measure (2004)
4. Washington Initiative 40 and Alternative Measure 40B, Regulation of Litter Measure (1972)
5. Washington Initiative 414, Beverage Container Refund Measure (1982)
6. Washington Initiative 61, Beverage Container Recycling Deposit Measure (1979)
7. Washington Initiative 97 and Alternative Measure 97B, Hazardous Waste Tax and Clean-Up Program Measure (1988)
8. Washington Referendum 17, Water Pollution Control Bonds Measure (1968)
9. Washington Referendum 23, Water Pollution Control Bond Changes Measure (1970)
10. Washington Referendum 39, Public Waste Disposal Facilities Bond Measure (1980)

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