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MCC Daily Tribune

Green Tip: 40th Anniversary of NYS Bottle Bill

This year is the 40th anniversary of New York State’s Returnable Container Act (RCA), commonly called the “Bottle Bill.” NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reports that under this act, roadside container litter has been reduced by 70% in 2020 and 5.5 billion plastic, glass, and aluminum beverage containers have been recycled. That totals 241,505 tons of recycling at no cost to local governments.

This deposit-return system is based on the payment of a five cent deposit when a bottle or can is bought in New York State, which is then returned to the consumer when the container is returned. In 2009, the law was expanded to cover bottled water.

According to the Bottle Bill Resource Guide of the Container Recycling Institute, NYS had a 70% return rate in 2021. Starting in 2009, 80% of unclaimed deposits (escheats by law) are returned to New York State, where $23 million in unclaimed deposits go to the state Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) with the remaining amount going to the General Fund. Escheated unclaimed deposits in excess of $122.2 million are also designated to go to the EPF.

Beverages covered by the Bottle Bill:

  • Carbonated Soft Drinks including Sparkling Water
  • Carbonated Energy Drinks
  • Carbonated Juice (anything less than 100% juice, containing added sugar or water)
  • Carbonated Tea
  • Soda Water
  • Beer and Other Malt Beverages
  • Mineral Water - Both carbonated and non-carbonated mineral water
  • Wine Products
  • Water which does not contain sugar, including flavored or nutritionally enhanced water

Beverage Containers covered by the Bottle Bill:

  • Individual, separate, sealed glass, metal, aluminum, steel or plastic bottle, can, or jar.
  • Containers less than 1 gallon or 3.78 liters
  • Containers for beverages sold for consumption in New York

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill introduced a proposal (Assembly Bill A8668A) in January 2022 to expand the bottle bill to include some wine and liquor bottles as well as dairy products, iced teas, and sports drinks.  It would also increase the deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents. Currently that bill and NYS Senate Bill S8651 are in committee.

Ann Penwarden
Sustainability Steering Committee
10/11/2022