New York's Bottle Bill
Returnable Container Act (RCA)
The Success of New York's Bottle Bill
COVID-19 and Bottle Bill Beverage Container Redemption - Resumed June 3, 2020
The New York State Returnable Container Act, also known as the "Bottle Bill", has been a tremendous success. Since its passage, the Bottle Bill has achieved significant impacts to create a cleaner and healthier New York. The Bottle Bill:
- reduces roadside container litter by 70 percent and
- in 2020 helped to recycle 5.5 billion plastic, glass and aluminum beverage containers totaling 241,505 tons; at no cost to local governments.
More about New York's Bottle Bill:
- COVID-19 and Bottle Bill Beverage Container Redemption - The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) have both issued guidance associated with COVID-19 and waste management. Currently, there is no evidence that suggests that management of residential wastes or recyclables, including returned containers through the bottle bill, represents a danger to the public.
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Bottle Bill - Here are some of the more frequently asked questions regarding the Bottle Bill.
- Get Your Money Back - Information on the RCA and getting your deposit back.
- What Does a Dealer Do? - A "dealer" is every person, firm or corporation who engages in the sale of beverages in beverage containers to a consumer for off-premises consumption in New York State.
- What is a Redemption Center and How Do they Work? - These are small businesses that accept empty beverage containers from the public and pay the refund value. Anyone may open a redemption center and determine the type of empty beverage containers to be accepted.
- Sign Requirements for Dealers - All dealers must post the "New York Bottle Bill of Rights" sign conspicuously at the point of sale.
- Third-Party Systems and Related Companies - A list of third-party systems and related companies for the Bottle Bill
