Bethel Nets $9,600 From Nickel-Per-Nip Program To Support Cleanup

BETHEL, CT — More than 192,000 miniature liquor bottles, known as nips, were sold in Bethel over the past six months, generating more than $9,600 for the town under Connecticut’s Nickel-Per-Nip program, officials announced this week.

The program, implemented in 2021, provides municipalities with five cents for every nip bottle sold within their borders. The funds are earmarked for environmental stewardship and anti-litter initiatives.

According to the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of Connecticut, Bethel saw 192,747 nips sold between Oct. 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025, resulting in a $9,637.35 payment to the town.

Statewide, the program generated $2.44 million in revenue during that reporting period, bringing the total amount disbursed to cities and towns since the program’s launch to nearly $16 million.

"The Nickel-Per-Nip program has continued to be a tremendous success for Connecticut’s towns and cities and our state as a whole," said Larry Cafero, executive director and general counsel of the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers. "By directly benefiting communities and significantly reducing litter and enhancing recycling efforts, the program has shown what impact smart, thoughtful legislation can have."

The program was created to help municipalities manage the collection and disposal of nip bottles, which are often cited as a significant source of roadside litter. Each town receives its payout every six months based on nip sales volume.

Cafero credited the state legislature for supporting the initiative and ensuring its ongoing impact across Connecticut.