Gripevine

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

I just finished reading the Gripe Vine from May 3. I was impressed with the responses from the city’s Mayoral Executive Assistant, Louis Esposito. I read in between the lines that it took some time for the answers to appear in Gripe Vine.

In previous columns, last year, a gentleman working for the city, I think his name was Withington, (Francis Withington) answered every gripe you sent him.

As an avid reader of your column and acutely aware, as I am sure your readers are, complaints are published promptly in Gripe Vine as well as results. Fortunately, most gripes are solved.

Hoping Mr. Esposito’s answers will continue to appear with successful answers and promptly in Gripe Vine.

Thank you Eleanore for putting the city’s resources and assistance in helping residents solve their gripes through your column.

Happy Taxpayer

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

I heard that stores get a rebate on every bottle and can that is returned for a deposit from individuals. Is this true?

BD

Dear BD:

I frequently receive inquiries on Connecticut’s Bottle Deposit Law. Following receipt of your question, I thought this would be a good time to answer other similar questions. A brief explanation of how the Connecticut’s bottle deposit work, each retailer in Connecticut pays a beverage distributor a 5-cent deposit on each carbonated beverage container and water bottle they purchase. Consumers then pay a 5-cent deposit for each beverage container they purchase from the retailer. The consumer can return empty containers to the retailer or a redemption center to redeem their deposit. The distributor then reimburses the retailer or redemption center 5 cents for each beverage container.

To respond to your question, does the retailer get a rebate on bottle deposits, according to the Connecticut Recycling Institute, February 2017, “In addition to the deposit, retailers receive a handling fee of 1.5 cents for each beer container and 2 cents for each carbonated soft drink and noncarbonated beverage container returned. In total, redemption centers and retailers receive a combined $23 million fees each year.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

Unclaimed nickels, what happens to them? Who gets the money?

Just Curious

Dear Just Curious:

Once again, Connecticut’s Bottle Deposit Law prompts inquiries. According to the Connecticut Recycling Institute, February 2017, unclaimed deposits are escheated to the State. According to the Container Recycling Institute (CRI) escheats from the bottle bill have contributed an average approximately $28.5 million annually to the General Fund. Bottle Deposit revenues are used for a variety of important programs including the Citizens Election Fund.

Readers can submit their questions, gripes or comments to gripevine4wh@aol.com or mail them to Gripe Vine co West Haven Voice 666 Savin Ave. You can also submit through our online form by clicking here. Please be sure to include your name, address and phone number kept with me only.