New York's Bottle Bill
Returnable Container Act (RCA)
The DEC will be amending New York's Bottle Bill Regulations, 6 NYCRR Part 367 - Returnable Beverage Containers. We held two virtual stakeholder meetings in September 2022 to obtain input regarding potential updates to the regulations. See the webinar presentation asking for input on the regulations. Both meetings were recorded and are available below:
- Wednesday afternoon, September 28, 2022 - play meeting recording
- Thursday evening, September 29, 2022 - play meeting recording
To provide written comments on the regulations:
Email: NYBOTTLE@dec.ny.gov, include "Suggestions for Part 367" in the subject line of the email
or
Mail to: NYSDEC, Division of Materials Management, Attn: Recycling and Outreach Section, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-7253
The Success of New York's Bottle Bill
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
