Canton Cashes In On Nearly 92K Nip Bottles Bought In Town

CANTON, CT — Connecticut’s “nickel-per-nip” environmental stewardship program has generated over $4.2 million for Connecticut cities and towns in its first full year.

A figure that includes $11,847 for the Town of Canton from Oct. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30 of this year.

Under a law passed last year, a 5-cent surcharge is placed on the sale of each 50 ml “nip” container at the point of sale.

Anyone who has walked a local street or sidewalk knows what these bottles are, as they often litter many public areas, creating and unsightly situation for pedestrians and residents alike.

Every April and October each municipality receives 5 cents for each nip sold within its borders during the preceding six months.

Recently, checks amounting to $2.3 million were sent to Connecticut municipalities representing nip sales from April 1, 2022, to September 30, 2022.

For Canton, this meant a $7,264 check, which is part of the annual haul from Oct. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30.

A total of 91,666 nip bottles were sold in Canton during this time period.

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 50 ml “nip” bottles.

Three Tiers for Connecticut is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) 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.

“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,” said Cafero.

“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.”