The three-year-old Connecticut “nickel per nip environmental fee” – and yes that’s the one where consumers pay an extra 5 cents for each tiny bottle of alcohol — program has generated more than $13.5 million for cities and towns in the state, according to Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut.
Larry Cafero, executive director and general counsel of the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers, said total revenue for the reporting period from April,1 2024 to Sept. 30 2024 – was $2.4 million. That’s for a total of more than 4.8 million bottles, according to Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut. Some towns had no bottles sold, data shows.
Cafero said that amount is an increase of about $77,000 over the same time period last year.
The bottles sell for about $1 to $5 but can’t be redeemed for a deposit because there is no place for them in the machinery where other other cans and bottles are redeemed.
The 5 cent surcharge on each nip bottle, significant amounts in some cases, goes back to each municipality.
Under the law, municipalities are required to spend the money on litter reduction or environmental initiatives, but not necessarily tied to getting rid of nip bottle litter.
The bottles brought in $9 million in the first two years, with big cities receiving hefty amounts.
A controversial measure that would have allowed municipalities to ban those tiny bottles of alcohol, or so-called nips bottles, died in the legislature early this year.
But proponents of the measure vowed to resurrect it by returning to the legislature’s Environment Committee in January to try again.
Cafero noted that the program was “designed to help cities and towns provide for the collection and
proper disposal of nips to combat littering. Data from the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of
Connecticut shows that some cities and towns have used the funds to support recycling centers
and litter-reduction initiatives.”
“This program is working exactly as was intended when it became law in 2021,” said Cafero, in a statement. “The revenue it generates is being used to clean up litter, and it’s even enhanced recycling efforts across the State. In a State where many residents care about the environment, that
matters.
Cafero said, “No matter how you look at it, the program’s been a resounding success.”
Environmental groups, however, have said the current system doesn’t stop the litter. Industry experts say the nip bottles contents are typically used close to purchase and often tossed out the window nearby.
For several of Connecticut’s larger communities, the environmental fee, per the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut, brought in: New Haven, 2,064,369 bottles for $103,218.45; Hartford, 1,820,499 bottle for $91,024.95; Bridgeport, 1,766,303 bottles for $88,315.15; Waterbury, 1,648,765 bottle for $82,438.25; and New Britain, 1,267,870 bottles for $63,393.50.
See all Connecticut town environmental fees here.
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