Expanded Bottle Bill Goes into Effect in Connecticut

The state of Connecticut has expanded its bottle bill, the first major expansion in the program, which has been in operation for close to 30 years. The expansion will include requiring deposits on containers of water and flavored water.

"Expansion of the bottle bill has the potential to remove nearly 500 million containers a year from Connecticut landfills, protecting the environment while reducing litter," said Gov. Jodi Rell.

The updated law requires a 5-cent deposit on most containers of bottled water and flavored, non-carbonated waters. It exempts containers of 3 liters or larger, containers made from high-density polyethylene and containers from manufacturers who bottle and sell less than 250,000 noncarbonated beverage containers a year and who obtain an exemption from the state Department of Environmental Protection. Unclaimed deposits are expected to return an estimated $17 million a year to the state.

"A generation of Connecticut residents has grown up with recycling as the law of the land. They’ve learned to pick up, pack up and properly dispose of bottles and cans," Governor Rell said. "Adding water bottles to the recycling mix instead of our landfills is a natural move."