NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against North Bergen Beverage and its owner and operator, Steven Arillo, for allegedly violating the New York Returnable Container Act, also known as the Bottle Bill.
According to the lawsuit, North Bergen has been selling containers of regulated beverages since 2011, but has not been collecting the mandated 5-cent deposit that the law requires. These alleged actions have cost the state revenue, undermined the law, and given North Bergen an unfair price advantage over competitors.
“The Bottle Bill is one of New York’s hallmark environmental laws – reducing litter, promoting recycling, and annually generating millions of dollars for the public benefit,” \ Schneiderman said. “Our suit charges that North Bergen Beverage persistently and repeatedly broke the law in order to gain a price advantage over its New York competitors. Such conduct not only harms New York businesses but undermines the law and deprives the state of millions of dollars in revenue.”
Schneiderman seeks an order enjoining the company and Arillo from conducting business in the state until coming into compliance with the law, reimbursing the state for the lost revenue and forcing the company to pay civil penalties.