By james art MADISON, Conn. — More than 110,000 pinch bottles were sold at Madison liquor stores in the past six months, resulting in a windfall for the city.
Under the state’s nickel-per-bite stewardship program, Connecticut municipalities receive 5 cents for each small bottle of alcohol sold within their borders, and the funding is earmarked for local environmental programs.
In Madison, a total of 113,174 bottles were sold during the six-month period from April 1 to September 30, generating $5,658.70 for the city.
“This program is working exactly as intended when it became law in 2021,” said Larry Cafero, executive director and general counsel of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers, in a statement. “The revenue it generates is used to clean up trash and even increased recycling efforts across the state. In a state where many residents care about the environment, that matters.”
Over the past three years, the program has generated more than $13.5 million for Connecticut towns, according to Caferro, a former state representative.
“No matter how you look at it, the program has been a tremendous success,” Caferro said.