1982

6/15/1982 New York Returnable Container Law is enacted with the purpose to reduce litter, ease the burden on solid waste facilities and encourage recycling activity.
Deposit: 5¢
Handling Fee: 20% of refund value (1¢)
Unredeemed Deposits: 100% Retained by beverage distributor/bottler
Containers Covered: Beer, malt, carbonated soft drinks & mineral water, wine coolers

1983

5/27/1983 Handling Fee amended.
7/1/1983 RCL is implemented.
Deposit: 5¢
Handling Fee: 1.5¢
Unredeemed Deposits: 100% Retained by beverage distributor/bottler​
​Containers Covered: Beer, malt, carbonated soft drinks & mineral water, wine coolers

1998

12/1/1998 Handling Fee amended.
Deposit: 5¢
Handling Fee: 2¢
Unredeemed Deposits: 100% Retained by beverage distributor/bottler​
​Containers Covered: Beer, malt, carbonated soft drinks & mineral water, wine coolers

2009

4/7/2009 Handling Fee amended, water added to covered beverages and unredeemed deposits shifted.
Deposit: 5¢
Handling Fee: 3.5¢ (implemented 8/13/2009)
Unredeemed Deposits: 20% by beverage distributor/bottler, 80% to state general fund
​Containers Covered: Beer, malt, carbonated soft drinks & mineral water, wine coolers, water which does not contain sugar-this excludes flavored or nutritionally enhanced water from the program
​(implemented 10/22/2009)

It has been nearly two decades of stalled progress on the Bottle Bill.
​As a result, 25% of the state's redemption centers have closed in the last two years.