What's happening
This bill adds cider to the list of returnable beverage containers covered by New York's bottle deposit law.
Why it matters
Expands recycling incentives. By including cider in the bottle deposit program, the bill encourages recycling of cider containers, potentially reducing litter and increasing the recovery rate of these bottles.
Aligns cider with similar beverages. The change treats cider on par with beer and other malt beverages under New York law, which could affect both cider producers and retailers in terms of compliance and operational costs.
Could impact consumer behavior and costs. Cider drinkers will now pay a deposit on each bottle, which they can reclaim by returning empties—this may influence purchasing habits and promote environmentally responsible actions.
Potential logistical effects for businesses. Cider manufacturers, distributors, and retailers will need to adapt their labeling, inventory, and return systems to comply with deposit requirements, possibly incurring additional administrative obligations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Cider to Bottle Return
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2828
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 29, 2019
Introduced by Sens. MAY, BRESLIN, GAUGHRAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to adding cider to the list of returnable beverage containers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 27-1003 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 2 of part SS of chapter 59 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
1. "Beverage" means carbonated soft drinks, water, cider, beer, other malt beverages and a wine product as defined in subdivision thirty-six-a of section three of the alcoholic beverage control law. "Malt beverages" means any beverage obtained by the alcoholic fermentation or infusion or decoction of barley, malt, hops, or other wholesome grain or cereal and water including, but not limited to ale, stout or malt liquor. "Water" means any beverage identified through the use of letters, words or symbols on its product label as a type of water, including any flavored water or nutritionally enhanced water, provided, however, that "water" does not include any beverage identified as a type of water to which a sugar has been added. "Cider" shall have the same meaning as defined in section three of the alcoholic beverage control law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law. Provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07767-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to adding cider to the list of returnable beverage containers
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to incentivize waste reduction by allowing for the recycling of empty hard cider containers and to add a new reven- ue stream for the state through collection of unclaimed container depos- its.
Summary of provisions
The bill amends Subdivision 1 of section 27-1003 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 2 of part SS of chapter 59 of the laws of 2009, by adding "cider" to the list of beverages subject to the returnable container law.
The bill clarifies that "cider" shall have the same meaning as defined in section three of the alcoholic beverage control law.
Justification
New York is one of the top apple growing states in the country and has more cideries than any other state. While beer and other alcoholic malt beverages sold in grocery stores and other retail outlets are subject to the Bottle Bill requirements, hard cider is not.
The 2009 amendments to the Bottle Bill require that 80% of the unclaimed deposits from returnable containers be committed to the Environmental Protection Fund. With the additional revenue stream that unclaimed 5-cent deposits on hard cider containers will provide, New York can make greater progress in environmental stewardship programs, including climate change and sustainability initiatives.
There are several states, including Maine, Oregon, Iowa, and Hawaii, that now include hard cider in their respective returnable container laws. By making this addition to its Bottle Bill New York will continue its commitment to expanding recycling opportunities while increasing its critically important investment in environmental protection.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
It is estimated the bill will generate millions of dollars in additional revenue to the state through the collection of unclaimed 5-cent deposits of hard cider containers.
Effective date
January lst after enactment, provided that any rule or regulation needed to implement the legislation may be made beforehand.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.