Changes to Connecticut bottle bill could lead to more revenue

The state of Connecticut recently voted to modify its 43-year-old bottle recycling bill, passing the legislation at 33-1 majority in the Senate and adding much-needed changes to the state’s recycling structure, legislators in the state say.

Established in 1982, Connecticut’s bottle deposit bill was part of an anti-litter campaign that, like many outdated recycling laws, needs to be adapted. Changes will include increased revenue from recycling additional materials, such as tea, water, sports drink and other beverage containers, causing the charge per recyclable item to shoot from 5 cents to 10 cents. Specific price raises would depend on the recyclable materials being processed. This new bill also will, according to Sens. Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) and Joe Gresko (D-Bridgeport), push for more operating redemption centers and provides more creative opportunities for recycling and beverage companies.

In an article released by the Connecticut News Project Inc., Cohen, one of the co-chairs for the Environmental Committee, says that: “It is long overdue. They’ve been getting the same handling fee since 1982, so we only have eight fully operational redemption centers operating as intended. And that’s because they’re just simply not moneymakers anymore, making it very inconvenient for consumers to redeem those nickels.”

The new model will emulate stewardship programs that have been successful in Oregon, Europe and Canada, where the goal of increasing recycling and sustainable packaging while decreasing overall cost is primary. Individuals such as Steve Changaris of the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that the bill could eventually lead to cost discrepancies between recyclables and disposal costs for municipalities, which could cause MRF’s to lose single stream revenue. However, many support the modifications, including Sen. Joe Gresko.

“Don’t tell us that you can’t, because they do it in British Columbia. They do it in Europe. They do it everywhere else. They just never wanted to do it here because it’s going to cost them money,” Gresko says.

If Connecticut Gov. Ned Lemont signs this bill into law, the implementation of these new regulations will not take place immediately, but will occur on Jan.1, 2023 if it goes through.