The New York Container Deposit Law (Bottle Bill) places a refundable deposit on many types of beverage containers. When consumers return their bottles for the deposit, those bottles are then recycled at much higher rates than when they are recycled curbside. By placing a small deposit on bottles and cans, the Bottle Bill greatly reduces the amount of trash that ends up on streets, in waterways, or in landfills. The bill also supports small businesses, green jobs, and environmental justice communities.

In recent years, redemption rates have declined, and litter has increased. It’s time to modernize and expand the Bottle Bill, which was first implemented in 1982. The Bigger Better Bottle Bill, introduced by Senator Rachel May (S5684) and Assemblymember Deborah Glick (A6543) would implement the following changes:

• Increase the refundable deposit from 5 to 10 cents, encouraging more people to return their containers. This change supports independent recyclers who face barriers to traditional employment.

• Expand the deposit to more containers, including wine, liquor, nips, and most non-carbonated containers, which will help prevent these empty bottles from being littered and keep them out of the waste stream.

• Increase the handling fee from 3.5 cents to 6.5 cents by 2031. The handling fee is separate from the deposit and paid by the beverage manufacturer. The fee reimburses retailers and small businesses who accept bottle returns, keeping the system strong.

• Require recycling of beverage bottles. The bill requires beverage companies to recycle their bottles.

Refilling beverage containers is even better for the environment than recycling because it extends the life of the original container and minimizes the need for new raw materials. Before single-use plastic, most beverages were sold in bottles that were sold on deposit, redeemed, washed, and refilled again and again. Now, one million single-use plastic bottles are produced from fossil fuels every minute globally. Recycling plastic bottles is inefficient compared to refill, requiring energy to collect, transport, and process materials, often resulting in downcycled products. In contrast, refilling eliminates much of this energy consumption and waste, as containers are reused multiple times. Including refill systems in bottle bills would help shift the focus from single-use to a sustainable, circular model that prioritizes resource conservation and reduces pollution.