CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Water Bottles Now Included in NY & CT Bottle Bills
Victory! The expanded Bottle Bill has been signed into law and is in effect. You can now return water bottles for a 5 cent refund. Connecticut’s Bottle Bill went into effect October 1, 2009, and New York’s expanded bottle law takes effect on October 31. By adding non-carbonated beverage bottles to the list of bottles available for 5 cent redemption, recycling rates of water bottles are expected to increase significantly. In New York and Connecticut, this new expanded Bottle Bill will help generate revenue for the states. Previously, when deposits were not reclaimed by consumers, the unclaimed bottle deposit money was returned to the bottlers and distributors. Now, these unclaimed nickels will return to the states and provide a direct benefit to the public. The unclaimed nickels are expected to provide additional millions to NY and an estimated $12 million to CT each year. The original Bottle Bill was one of the most successful pieces of environmental legislation and substantially reduced litter and increased recycling. Many things have changed in the decades since states first adopted bottle bills. In the early 1980’s, carbonated and malt beverages comprised the lion’s share of the convenience beverage market. Now, the largest growing sector of the convenience beverage industry consists of bottled water, tea, and sports drinks. CCE and our partners have worked for years to expand the Bottle Bill to capture these beverages. Recycling saves money, creates jobs, saves energy, and fights climate change. CCE thanks you for your support in securing the adoption of these overdue changes to the existing bottle bills. With public support, we look forward to working to address the growing trend of water bottle use and decrease the amount of bottles that wind up in landfills. Thank you for all that you do. Together we make a difference. YOUR FRIENDS AT CCE 
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