New CT Law: Surcharge On Little Bottles of Alcohol Hits Oct. 1

CONNECTICUT — A five-cent surcharge on miniature alcohol bottles goes into effect in Connecticut Oct. 1.

The extra fee for "nips" is a provision of broader waste management legislation, passed earlier this year.

The new law requires liquor wholesalers to assess a five-cent surcharge on miniature alcohol bottles to retailers, and, in turn, consumers. The fees will be collected in a separate account, and sent back to the municipalities in which the transactions occurred.

State legislators intend for the towns to put the extra funds back to work for the environment, specially solid waste management. Such measures 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 such beverage containers and other debris from streets, sidewalks and abutting lawn and turf areas.

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.

Twice a year, beginning in April 2022, wholesalers will remit their payment to every municipality where any such beverage container was sold during the preceding six-month period.