New York State needs a

bigger, better Bottle Bill


Passed in 1982, the Bottle Bill established the New York State container deposit system, our state’s most successful recycling program. But after more than 40 years, it desperately needs an update. This idea is supported by  environmental groups, small business owners and concerned individuals who are all working to get a bill passed this year — 2025 - in Albany.

New York is suffering from a solid waste crisis. Our municipal governments spend an estimated $400 million per year on curbside recycling. However, less than 20% of our waste ends up being properly recycled. In the meantime, most of our landfills are nearing capacity.

A stronger Bottle Bill will increase redemption rates, reduce litter, and support vulnerable New Yorkers, while protecting jobs and businesses.

A legislative package to update the Bottle Bill passed the State Senate in 2024. An identical bill had strong support in the State Assembly. This plan has support from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, which included the modernization in its Solid Waste Management Plan in 2023.

However, heavy lobbying from the beverage industry blocked reform. We need your help to pass this bill in 2025!

What we want

10 cent deposit

The value of a nickel has eroded dramatically with inflation over the past 42 years. Increasing the deposit to a dime will increase consumer redemption rates and also help many low-income people who collect cans to earn a living. Other states, like Connecticut and Oregon, have already done this. We want New York to join them.

All bottles included

All beverages (excluding dairy and 100% fruit & vegetable juices) should be included in the program, not just beverage types that were around in 1982, like beer and soda. Those other drinks, including Snapple, Gatorade, and countless others are more popular than ever. Those cans and bottles usually end up in the landfill today. We want the law changed to include more containers.

Raise handling fee

The handling fee, which is paid by the beverage manufacturers, has not been increased since 2009. As a result, hundreds of redemption centers across New York have gone out of business. A healthy bottle deposit program depends on infrastructure to make it work. We want the handling fee to be increased immediately from its current 3.5 cents to 5 cents, then increased to 6 cents next year, and to 6.5 cents in 2031.

Introduce refillables

While a stronger bottle bill will help, we ultimately need to reduce our reliance on single-use containers. Refillable container systems, common in Europe, are one solution. Coca-cola has already pledged to refill 25% of its bottles by 2030. We want the same standard applied across the board, with appropriate incentives to establish this system.

Who We Are

For info, or to join our weekly meetings, please contact:
SolidWaste@nypirg.org

Press inquiries please contact: JAccordino@nypirg.org

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