260,964 'Nips' Sold In Ledyard In Last 6 Months: State

LEDYARD, CT — The state is distributing payments via its “nickel-per-nip” program, which has generated $6.6 million for Connecticut cities and towns since it was established in 2021.

The program adds a nickel surcharge on the sale of each 50 ml “nip” container of liquor at the point of sale. Every April and October each municipality receives five cents for each nip sold within its borders during the previous six months.

In Ledyard, 260,964 of the tiny liquor bottles were sold from Oct. 1 to March 31. Ledyard received $13,048 for that period. In total, the program has paid Ledyard $36,568 since October 2021.

This week, checks amounting to $2.4 million are being sent to Connecticut municipalities representing nip sales from October to March.

“This $6 million program is making a big difference, and is performing beyond our expectations,” Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr., President and Treasurer of Three Tiers for Connecticut and Executive Director of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut, Inc., said in a statement. “This is our strongest six-month period yet, and we just delivered $2.4 million in eco fees into the hands of our cities and towns, many of which are using those dollars to keep their roadsides, waterways and public spaces litter-free.”

Cafero said many municipalities have been using the funding for a number of litter-reduction efforts. Some towns have used the funding to support recycling coordinator positions, while others have partnered with local non-profit organizations on litter cleanups.