With 10-cent deposit coming, CT redemption centers get new funds

Many communities, particularly those in urban centers and environmental justice communities, lack reliable and convenient access to redemption locations, according to DEEP. In this first round of funding, seven redemption facility operators have been notified of the agency’s intent to improve existing facilities, including East Haven, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Vernon, West Haven, and Woodstock. The 3,000-square-foot Middletown redemption center opened earlier this year at 373 E. Main St.
 
“Equitable access to beverage container recycling is important and will become even more important when the container deposit increases in 2024,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said.
 
Connecticut is among “bottle bill” states in the U.S. that charge a deposit on beverage containers at the time of purchase, which is then returned to the consumer when the empty container is returned. Connecticut’s program started in 1980. Beginning this year, the program expanded to allow redemptions for a host of new products, including teas, hard seltzers and ciders, energy drinks and coffee.
 
“With the expansion of the bottle deposit to new items and the upcoming increase to a dime, customers need locations to redeem their products,” Environment Committee Co-Chairperson Rep. Joe Gresko said.  “Increasing the entrepreneurial opportunity, especially in urban areas, was one of the goals of modernizing the bottle bill.” 

Currently among bottle bill states, Connecticut has one of the lowest return rates.The 5-cent deposit is seen as too weak an incentive and the rate of return has lingered in recent years at 50 percent or less. The Container Recycling Institute, an advocacy organization, shows the rates of return for the ten bottle bill states up to 2021.  Redemption rates ranged from 81 percent in Oregon, which along with Michigan (at 75 percent) has a 10-cent deposit on all containers, to 38 percent in Massachusetts, which has a nickel deposit. Connecticut’s return rate, according to the organization, was at 57 percent in 2013, but dipped to 44 percent in 2020 and 46 percent in 2021.

Just about any Connecticut store that sells drinks with a deposit is required to take back the empties and pay the person returning them. As of Jan. 1, many more stores must have redemption machines called reverse vending machines. A map on the DEEP website shows locations and hours of redemption centers.

https://www.ctinsider.com/politics/article/lamont-deep-dykes-confirmation-bottle-bill-17757593.php

Money from the beverage container recycling grant program may be used for infrastructure, technology and costs associated with establishing a redemption center and for initial operating expenses. In December 2022, DEEP entered into an agreement with Hartford-based HEDCO to administer the grant program.

DEEP is initiating a second round of grants immediately, according to a news release. Funding is for new redemption centers in communities that lack reliable and convenient access to returnable sites. A priority will be given to remaining, qualified round one applicants, first-time redemption center owners and those that are locally-owned, minority-owned and women-owned, state officials said.

Priority consideration also will go to applicants in Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, Enfield, Groton, Meriden, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Stamford, and Torrington, DEEP announced. Grants will be made to priority areas on a rolling basis until October 31, at which time any remaining grant funds will be awarded to other qualified applicants, the release stated.