$19 Million Generated through "Nickel Per Nip" Program

For Immediate Release

On 4-Year Anniversary of Nickel Per Nip Environmental Fee, Program Has Now Generated More Than $19M for Cities and Towns Across Connecticut

NORWALK, CT, OCT 20, 2025 — Larry Cafero, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers, today announced that the “Nickel Per Nip Environmental Fee” – a program that celebrated its 4-year anniversary on October 1, 2025 – has now generated approximately $19 million dollars for cities and towns across Connecticut.

Cafero also said that the revenue for the latest reporting period – April 1 through September 30 of 2025 – was $2.49 million, an increase of approximately $45,000 over the same time period last year.

Through this program, every city and town in Connecticut receives 5 cents for each nip sold within its borders. The program was designed to help cities and towns provide for the collection and proper disposal of nips to combat littering. Data from the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut shows that some cities and towns have used the funds to support recycling centers and litter-reduction initiatives.

“After four years in action, it’s never been clearer that this program is a resounding success for Connecticut,” said Cafero. “We’ve been receiving great feedback from our partners in municipal government who are benefitting from this new source of consistent revenue for environmental projects, and we’re excited by this program’s continued success.”

“This is effective policy in action,” Cafero added. “I applaud the legislature for their innovative thinking here, and I look forward to watching this continue to benefit our great state.”

Click below for a complete list of payments for every Connecticut municipality between April 1, 2025 and September 30, 2025.