Sponsor · State Senator, District 46 · Democratic
Senate bill · S10211 (2025-26)
Establishes a deposit and recycling program for wine containers and liquor containers
Summary
Establishes a deposit and recycling program for wine containers and liquor containers with 5 cent deposits for containers less than 24 oz and 10 cent deposits for containers over 24 oz; provides for labeling of such containers; makes related provisions.
Your position on this bill
Not chosen yet
Where it stands
Assigned to a committee for review.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
New York State Senate
Amends the Environmental Conservation Law.
Committee
Environmental Conservation · New York State Assembly
Also referred to Environmental Conservation · New York State Senate.
Purpose, from the sponsor's memo
The purpose of this bill is to expand New York State's container deposit system to include wine and liquor containers by establishing a modern- ized, state-administered redemption and recycling program designed to increase recycling rates, reduce litter, and create a sustainable system for managing these containers while minimizing burdens on retailers, distributors, restaurants, and bars.
Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)
The sponsor's argument
Why Patricia Fahy says this is needed
New York's container deposit system, commonly known as the Bottle Bill, has been one of the most successful recycling initiatives in the United States since its adoption in 1982. However, wine and liquor containers remain excluded from the system. Wine and liquor containers-primarily glass-present unique challenges to municipal recycling systems. Glass contamination reduces the value of recyclable materials, increases processing costs, and limits recovery efficiency. As a result, many of these containers are landfilled or improperly recycled. Removing glass containers from the municipal recy- cling waste stream is therefore critical to improving overall recycling system performance. By diverting wine and liquor containers into a dedi- cated deposit-based redemption system, this legislation reduces contam- ination, lowers processing costs, and improves the quality and value of other recyclable materials. At the same time, it enables the collection of cleaner glass streams that are better suited for reuse and high-qual- ity recycling. This legislation addresses that gap by creating a separate, modernized deposit system tailored to the wine and spirits industry. Unlike the traditional Bottle Bill model, this program centralizes administration within the Department of Environmental Conservation and relies on dedi- cated redemption centers rather than retailers. This approach reduces operational burdens on small businesses and hospitality establishments; improves recycling outcomes for glass and other materials; ensures statewide access to redemption; and creates a self-sustaining, circular system funded by deposits and material revenues. By expanding deposit coverage to wine and liquor containers, New York will significantly increase recycling rates, reduce landfill waste, and strengthen its leadership in sustainable materials management.
This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.
Full history
- May 5, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NY Senate
About this record
- Summary
The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
- Source
From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data
Read the record
- Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.