The New York Container Bottle Law, also known as the Bottle Bill, was passed 42 years ago and advocates have been pushing to update it for the past few years.
The so-called “Bigger Better Bottle Bill” (A6543/S5684) would increase the refundable deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents, and expand the deposit to more containers including wine, liquor and non-carbonated containers. Handling fees would also be increased.
Not everyone is supportive. The New York Business Council has written an opposition memo against the bill, arguing that it will cost businesses more money because the bill requires that 25% of all beverage containers sold by each distributor to be refillable and part of a return and refill system by 2031.
Blair Horner, long-time senior policy advisor and chief government watchdog for the New York Public Interest Research Group, which is advocating for the bill, told Capital Tonight’s Susan Arbetter that if top legislative Democrats are supportive of a bill, it will get done.
“If the leadership wants to do bills, even if they’re controversial, they’ll make the time to do it,” he said.
