ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Water bottlers are suing New York officials in federal court in an attempt to block a new law requiring return deposits on water bottles sold in the state starting June 1.
The measure expands 5-cent deposits beyond carbonated beverages, wine coolers and beer. The law raises the handling fee paid to retailers and redemption centers from 2 cents to 3.5 cents per container.
The suit filed by the International Bottled Water Association, Nestle Waters North America and Polar Corp. says the provision requiring a specific bar code for bottles sold in New York violates the Constitution's commerce clause, as well as their due process rights by giving them less than two months to comply.
