Connecticut’s nickel-per-nip program has generated $6.6 million in its first 18 months, according to data from the state.
The program, which places a 5 cent surcharge on the sale of each 50 ml “nip” container of alcohol, first began in Oct. 2021. Every April and October, Connecticut municipalities receive this additional fee revenue for each nip sold within its borders over the prior six months.
Three Tiers for Connecticut, the nonprofit that pushed for the law last year, said the most recent round of checks accounted for $2.4 million sent to municipalities from Oct. 1, 2022, to March 31.
The highest municipality payments were:
- $115,073.05 to New Haven for 2,301,461 nips sold
- $80,392.75 to Bridgeport for 1,607,855 nips sold
- $78,448.85 to Hartford for 1,568,977 nips sold
- $77,792.65 to Waterbury for 1,555,853 nips sold
- $66,150.10 to Manchester for 1,323,002 nips sold
- $65,939.50 to New Britain for 1,318,790 nips sold
In the six months between Oct. 1, 2022, and March 31, 48,264,559 nips were sold in Connecticut.
Three Tiers for Connecticut representatives said that many municipalities have been using the funding for litter-reduction efforts, including adding recycling coordinator positions and partnerships with local non-profit organizations for litter cleanups.
The first full year of the program from Oct. 1, 2021 to Oct. 1, 2022, generated more than $4.2 million.
The state calls the program an “environmental stewardship” effort because nip bottles are a common form of litter. Three Tiers for Connecticut represents all of the state’s major wine and spirits wholesalers, suppliers and retailers.
