As of 4/26/2021

Action Alert from LWV Greater Hartford– adapted from the Action Alert from LWV Connecticut (LWVCT) at this link:  https://my.lwv.org/connecticut/action-alert/bottle-bill-sb-1037-act-concerning-solid-waste-management-1

Use below link to see cosponsors of SB1037 as shown on the official bill page

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2021&bill_num=1037

Background

• Original CT Bottle Bill (recycling) was passed in 1980; it has not been updated since
• Connecticut’s redemption rate of 49% is the lowest in the world; we can do better!

Key provisions of SB1037

There are three major provisions in the bill.  We need all three major provisions to meet the goals of the proposed legislation:

• the 3.5-cent handling fee for redemption centers

Those opposed to the bill are trying to change the 3.5 cent fee to 2.5 cents.  The 2.5 cent level is not enough to incentivize more redemption centers.  Additional redemption centers means more jobs and more convenience for consumers which helps to increase recycling/redemption rates

• a 10-cent deposit (currently 5 cents)

Those opposed are trying to keep the deposit at 5 cents.  The 5 cent deposit set in the original legislation is no longer enough of an incentive

• expansion to include other beverage containers (nips are included in the legislation, wine and other spirits are not).

The opposition is trying to stop expansion.  Expanding the bill means more materials are recycled.

The combination of these 3 key provisions have been shown in other states to increase the rate of recycling.  The increased handling fee is shown to increase the number of redemption centers for consumers which in turn increases the rate of recycling and also increases associated jobs. 

Here is a list of all key provisions and implementation dates

• Raises the handling fee on covered containers to 3.5 cents. (Effective July of 2021)
• Increases the deposit on covered containers from 5 to 10 cents. (Effective January 2022)
• Expands the program to cover non-carbonated beverages including juices, teas, sports drinks, kombucha, hard cider and liquor nips. (Effective July 2022)
• Allows beverage distributor to keep 18% of the unclaimed deposits for the 1st two fiscal years and 20% after that, to help offset the cost of the handling fee raise.
• Includes a series of changes to update/modernize the existing statute to reflect current market practice

Take Action!

• LWVCT reports the bill needs more Senators to co-sponsor.  Check to see if your Senator has co-sponsored the bill.  If yes, thank them.  If no, ask them to co-sponsor.   
• Check to see if your representative is a member of the Finance Committee:  https://www.cga.ct.gov/fin/.  If yes, ask them to vote the bill favorably out of committee. 
• Communicate your support to your representatives

You can modify the sample email provided by LWVCT as shown below. The link to find the co-sponsors is: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2021&bill_num=1037

• Forward this action alert to your friends and networks and ask them to take action in support of SB1037.
• Kathy Golas is the LWVCT specialist on this issue.  Communicate any responses from legislators to her at  kcgolas [at] aol.com. 

Here’s a Sample email Communication you can adapt

To: [Senator/Representative Legislator's Name]

Subject: Support SB 1037

Dear [Name of Legislator]:

I am [Your Name] from [Town or Zip Code] and I write in support of SB 1037 which would update the Bottle Bill to help make recycling work, reduce litter, and lower costs to municipalities. Will you please vote "yes" on SB 1037 and consider becoming a cosponsor.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Town or Zip Code]