Somers Nets $5K- Plus In Latest State Nip Bottle Surcharge Program Payout

SOMERS, CT — The Connecticut Nickel per Nip program has topped the $22 million mark in terms of payouts to cities and towns over its four-year lifespan, including more than $5,000 to Somers for the latest reporting period.

That was the word Thursday from Larry Cafero, the executive director and general counsel of the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers trade organization, which oversees the environmental fee program that charges 5 cents for every purchase of a nip bottle.

The Nickel per Nip program, which has been in effect since October 2021, generated $2.4 million across all Connecticut cities and towns in the latest reporting period, from October 2025 through March 2026. Through the program, every city and town in Connecticut receives back the 5-cent surcharge for each nip sold within its borders. The funds are used for a myriad of environmental purposes including community clean ups by non-profit organizations, street sweeper purchases, food composting programs, and hiring recycling personnel.

For the latest reporting period, Somers made $5,141.80 on 102,838 nip bottles sold.

"Since this program began more than four years ago, every six month reporting period has demonstrated that it works. Cities and towns are getting much-needed revenue for environmental protection purposes, and they’re putting the money to good use," Cafero said. "The collection and distribution of the money is a success, but the true measure of success is how each municipality chooses to spend the money received."

He added, "We remain grateful to our partners in the legislature and municipal government for creating this
program and putting the funds to good use,” Cafero added. “We look forward to continued success with the Nickel per Nip program."