What's happening
This bill allows distributors to reimburse dealers or redemption centers for empty beverage containers with cash or immediate credit, with specific rules for high-volume dealers.
Why it matters
Streamlines payments for returned containers. By allowing immediate cash or credit reimbursement, the bill helps dealers and redemption centers get paid faster, which can improve their cash flow and operational efficiency.
Targets large-volume dealers for prompt reimbursement. Distributors must use only cash or immediate credit for dealers purchasing 100,000+ cases per year, preventing delays in reimbursement for high-volume businesses that handle significant container returns.
Reduces financial risk and administrative delays. Immediate payment options limit the risk that dealers and redemption centers face from slow or complicated reimbursement processes, making participation in the bottle redemption system more attractive.
May improve compliance and redemption rates. By making the reimbursement process more predictable and secure, the bill could encourage more consistent participation from both small and large dealers, potentially increasing overall recycling rates and reducing litter.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Change Bottle Return Payments
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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
1534
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2025
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- 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 the redemption of empty beverage containers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 7 of section 27-1007 of the environmental conservation law, as added by section 4 of part SS of chapter 59 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
7. A deposit initiator on a brand shall accept from a distributor who does not initiate deposits on that brand any empty beverage containers of that brand accepted by the distributor from a dealer or operator of a redemption center and shall reimburse the distributor the refund value of each such beverage container, as established by section 27-1005 of this title. A distributor may reimburse the refund value to each dealer or redemption center in the form of either cash on delivery or credit for immediate use for filled beverage containers. However, if a dealer's yearly purchases from a distributor are equal to or greater than one hundred thousand cases, then a distributor must make such reimbursements to that dealer in the form of either cash on delivery or credit for immediate use for filled beverage containers. In addition, the deposit initiator shall reimburse such distributor for each such beverage container the handling fee established under subdivision six of this section. Without limiting the rights of the department or any person, firm or corporation under this subdivision or any other provision of this section, a distributor shall have a civil right of action to enforce this subdivision, including, upon three days notice, the right to apply for temporary and preliminary injunctive relief against continuing violations, and until arrangements for collection and return of empty containers or reimbursement of such distributor for such deposits and handling fees are made.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04535-01-5
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 the redemption of empty beverage containers
Purpose or general idea of bill
The bill would amend the environmental conservation law in order to allow large volume dealers to collect bottle redemption deposits from distributors upon pick up in the same manner as these bottle redemptions are purchased from the same distributors.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 requires large distributors or their agents to make payments to the dealer according to the same terms imposed on the dealer for payment.
Section 2 provides for the effective date.
Justification
This legislation amends the bottle deposit law to allow large volume dealers to collect bottle redemption deposits from distributors upon pick up in the same manner as these bottle redemptions are purchased from the same distributors. This change will require wholesalers to pay collection fees in cash rather than credit, so retailers receive compen- sation faster. This update to redemption regulations brings us closer to achieving the state's environmental goals. In addition, the bill advances the economic interests of the city's smallest and most vulner- able retailers by providing them a needed redemption service so that deposit bottles and cans do not inundate smaller retailers. Soda and beer companies that no longer have any real proprietary interest over redemption should not have veto power over redemption practices. New York State has the responsibility to account for the deposit containers and should encourage redemption centers because they promote environ- mental public policy goals and create economic incentives in low-income neighborhoods.
In addition, this legislation encourages recycling to the benefit of our treasury and environment. The redemption of returnable beverage contain- ers has a budgetary impact since the state must pay for the bottles and cans that are not redeemed through the process above. Streamlining this redemption process will also increase recycling and diminish New York's carbon footprint.
Prior legislative history
2023-24: S2614-Referred to Environmental Conservation
2021-22 - S5654 - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2019-20: S.5085 - Referred to Environmental Conservation
2017-18: S.5459 - REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.