CT Nip Bottle Sales Surcharge Generates $2.5 Million-Plus To Municipalities In Latest 6-Month Period

CONNECTICUT — A total of $2.56 million was distributed to municipalities in the latest round of Connecticut's Nickel-Per-Nip program.

Statistics for the latest reporting period — April 1 through Sept. 30, 2026 — were recently released by the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of Connecticut.

Over the five years of the program, about $25 million has been paid out to towns and cities.

Under the program, each municipality receives 5 cents for each nip liquor bottle sold sold within its borders every six months. The nickel is charged to customers at the point of sale. The funding is intended for locally driven environmental stewardship programs.

Larry Cafero, the executive director and general counsel of the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of Connecticut, praised the program.

"This latest distribution puts another $2.5 million directly into the hands of our cities and towns to address local environmental needs,” Cafero said. “With more than $25 million returned to municipalities, the program is giving communities meaningful resources to tackle litter and keep
public spaces clean."

He added, "We appreciate the continued partnership of legislators and local leaders who have helped
make this program a success. Our shared goal is to ensure these dollars make a visible difference in communities across Connecticut."

The table below lists the amount of nip bottles sold and the allocation of payments for Connecticut municipalities covering the six-month period from April 1 through Sept. 30, 2026: