Bottle Bill Whitepaper

The New York State Returnable Container Act, known as the “Bottle Bill,” has kept millions of tons of plastic, metal, and glass out of the state’s waste stream since its enactment in 1982. In 2019, state lawmakers were considering legislation that would expand the Bottle Bill to include additional beverage containers. This report serves to educate county officials on the history of the Bottle Bill and the proposed revisions that are still under consideration.