Beer pouch bill moves to Conn. governor

Beer pouch bill moves to Conn. governor

Published May 15, 2013 12:07am ET



HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut bill that would allow malt beverages, including beer, to be sold in pliable pouches is moving to the governor’s desk.

The Senate on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of the legislation, which recently passed the House.

The bill exempts beer and other malt beverages from a state beverage packaging law that generally prohibits plastic beverage containers that also include aluminum or steel. Such containers would still be banned for mineral waters, soda water and carbonated soft drinks.

The state’s liquor industry pushed for the legislation, saying Connecticut is the only state which bans such packaging for malt-based products and how the same packaging material is used for other products such as sauces and juices.

State environmental officials had opposed the bill, arguing the containers can’t be recycled.