First Year Of CT Nip Bottle Surcharge Program Nets $74K For Enfield

ENFIELD, CT ? The totals are in for the first 12 months of Connecticut's "nickel-per-nip" surcharge program and it has generated more than $4.2 million for Connecticut cities and towns, including more than $74,000 for Enfield.

Under a law passed last year, a 5-cent surcharge is placed on the sale of each 50 ml "nip" liquor bottle at the point of sale. Every April and October each municipality receives 5 cents for each nip sold within its borders during the preceding six months. This week checks amounting to $2.3 million are being sent to Connecticut municipalities representing nip sales from April 1, 2022, to September 30, 2022.

Enfield's total for the year is $74,154.38, officials said.

Proposed by Three Tiers for Connecticut and passed by the General Assembly in 2021, the program is designed to help cities and towns provide for the collection and proper disposal of the mini liquor bottles. Three Tiers for Connecticut is a not-for-profit organization representing all of the major wine and spirits wholesalers in Connecticut, as well as suppliers and retailers ? thereby being representative of all three tiers of the alcohol beverage industry, officials said.

"This program has over-performed our expectations in its first year, and we're thrilled about it," said Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr., President and Treasurer of Three Tiers for Connecticut and Executive Director of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut, Inc. "Now, as intended, that money generated by the environmental fees is in the hands of our cities and towns, many of which are using those dollars to keep their roadsides, waterways and public spaces litter-free."

Since the first payment was sent to towns in May, Connecticut municipalities have been using the funding for a number of litter-reduction efforts. Some towns have used the funding to support recycling coordinator positions, while others have partnered with local non-profit organizations on litter cleanups.

"This simple program is a national model and it?s making a real difference in our state," Cafero said. "Connecticut's wine and spirits industry recognized that litter from our 50 ml nip containers was a problem that needed to be addressed, so our members stepped up with a solution that provides direct funding to municipalities so they have more resources to combat litter. We're excited to watch these nickels get put to work."