State Stats Show Nip Sales In Middletown Hit Nearly 700,000 Bottles Over Past 6 Months

MIDDLETOWN, CT — More than 680,000 nip-size liquor bottles were sold in Middletown over the past six months, generating about $34,000 to the town via the state surcharge program.

The latest nip sales statistics were released Tuesday.

Also, Larry Cafero, the executive director and general counsel of the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of Connecticut, announced that the Nickel Per Nip Environmental Fee, a statewide program that just passed its four-year year anniversary (Oct. 1) has now generated approximately $19 million for cities and towns across the state.

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

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

Middletown's exact share was $34,010 on a total of 680,200 nip bottles sold.

Statewide, a total of 49,752,245 nips were sold over the past half-year for a total payout of $2,487,612.25.

"After four years in action, it’s never been clearer that this program is a resounding success for
Connecticut,” Cafero said. "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. I applaud the legislature for their innovative thinking here, and I look forward to watching this continue to benefit our great state."