CT Mini Bottle Surcharge To Impact Stores, Consumers, Towns

HARTFORD, CT — Liquor establishments, consumers and towns in Connecticut will begin feeling the effects of a surcharge on mini "nip" bottles next month.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the state Department of Revenue Services and the state Department of Consumer Protection sent out a reminder that the 5-cent surcharge on "miniature alcohol bottles" goes into effect Oct. 1.

"The littering of miniatures is a significant problem in communities across Connecticut," officials for the agencies said while explaining the impetus behind the move.

The new law, which was part of Public Act 21-58 passed earlier this year, requires liquor wholesalers to assess a 5-cent surcharge on miniature alcohol bottles to retailers—and in turn, consumers. The charges will be filed in a separate account and then sent back to the municipalities in which the transactions occurred, state officials said.

Unlike some other drink containers like bottled water or beer, the surcharge on miniature alcohol bottles does not return directly back to the consumer in the form of a bottle deposit, officials said. Instead, towns across the state will "utilize the funds generated by this surcharge to enact environmental measures intended to reduce the generation of solid waste in their municipality or reduce the impact of litter caused by such solid waste.

Measures implemented can include the hiring of a recycling coordinator, the installation of storm drain filters designed to block solid waste and beverage container debris or the purchase of a mechanical street sweeper, vacuum or broom that removes litter — including beverage containers and other debris from streets, sidewalks and abutting lawns.

Beginning April 1, 2022, and every six months thereafter, wholesalers will be required remit the surcharges to every municipality where any mini beverage container was sold during the preceding six-month period.

Click here for more information about Connecticut's bottle bill.