On January 1, Connecticut’s “Bottle Bill” doubled its deposit to 10 cents.
Sustainable Westport says: “The bottle bill aims to incentivize recycling and proper disposal of beverage containers by attributing a cash value to each container, making it more likely that the containers will be recycled.
“States with bottle bills (we are one of only 10 in the US) have much higher recycling rates for containers than non-bottle bill states.
“The redemption process — separate from curbside recycling — results in less contamination, contributing to higher-quality recycled materials, particularly for plastics.
“Eligible containers include most metal, glass, and plastic beverage containers within specific size ranges for carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. The program covers various beverages, but excludes certain items like paper cartons, pouches, milk, wine and liquor.
“Consumers can redeem containers at stores selling the deposited beverages, including those equipped with self-service reverse vending machines (RVMs). Two near locations to redeem bottles and cans are Stop & Shop and Stew Leonard’s.
“Connecticut’s Bottle Bill laws contribute to the creation of a circular economy by ensuring that valuable resources within these containers are efficiently recycled and reused. This conserves raw materials, and reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing new containers from scratch.
“Beyond its environmental benefits, this legislation fosters a sense of responsibility and awareness regarding waste management. For more information about the new bottle bill and to learn about other redemption options, check out our recent blog.
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