Raised Bill No. 5340 - Summary

• Increases beverage container refund value from 5 cents to 10 cents, effective July 1, 2023, for both carbonated and noncarbonated beverages sold in Connecticut.

• Expands bottle redemption program to include noncarbonated beverages such as water, juice, tea, sports drinks, and energy drinks, effective July 1, 2021.

• Raises handling fees paid by distributors to dealers and redemption centers from 1-2 cents to 3.5 cents per container, effective July 1, 2021.

• Establishes a state redemption goal of 90 percent for beverage containers and directs the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop a strategy for achieving this goal.

• Modifies deposit initiator accounting requirements and payment schedules to the state, with deposit initiators paying 82 percent of outstanding special account balances for fiscal years 2022-2023 and 80 percent thereafter.