In 1980, the state’s Beverage Container Deposit and Redemption Law, known colloquially as the bottle bill, originally gave residents a reason to return their used beer and soda bottles.

In January of last year, the program was expanded to include non-carbonated beverages ― juice, tea, water, sports drinks, energy drinks and coffee.

The latest update, effective Jan. 1 of this year, doubled the deposit and refund on all those beverages to 10 cents.

On Sunday, most shoppers at Stop & Shop in Groton, even if previously unaware of the higher return on bottle and cans, said it would make for little change of their current recycling habits.

“It’s nice that it was increased,” said Karen Scully of Gales Ferry as she browsed the drink aisle. “My habits haven’t changed, but it’s nice they’re giving people more for it.”

Scully said her most purchased refundable products are beer and water, adding that she always recycles them.

Shopper Jane Hartley, of New London, similarly, said she was aware of the Jan. 1 increase but that it “hasn’t changed much” for her.

Tyler White, of New London, said he was unaware of the increased return price and said it would not make a difference in his recycling habits. He’s still going to throw the containers in a recycling bin as he’s used to doing.

“It’s too much of a hassle to bring them back,” he said.

Others, like Melissa Burdo, of Groton were excited over the ability to make get more back from their return.

“I am at the point where I’m going to be more inclined to save my bottles now, because 10 bottles gets you to $1, where it used to be 20 bottles.”

Burdo added she has not returned any bottles yet.

“Mostly I drink them at work and they return it to buy snacks for the office,” she said.

Tomas De La Cruz, of New London, was in the bottle return area, located at the side of the building. He didn’t know about the new provision of the bottle bill until he arrived at the store to return his recyclables.

“For me, it’s doing my part trying to keep the planet safe,” he said.

De La Cruz, like Burdo, said he thought the money would provide a good incentive.

“I think it’s a good motivation for people,” he said. “If it’s going to collect more of this garbage, it’s a good thing.”

Meanwhile, as Deanna Johnson, of Gales Ferry, browsed the store’s iced tea section, she explained that the higher initial cost of the beverages has provided a healthy side effect for her― helping her quit drinking soda.

The extra five cents, Johnson said, gave her the last reason she needed to stop purchasing the sugary drink. Johnson said she doesn’t usually collect the return and also has problems storing the empty containers at home.

“I don’t have anywhere to be storing a bunch of bottles or cans,” the shopper said, adding that she instead opts to put them into her home recycling bin.

She said when she was a younger, she used to crush up the aluminum soda cans, which took up less space and made transport easier. But machines at the grocery stores will not accept crushed cans.

“You’ve got to make it easier, then people will do it more,” she said.

d.drainville@theday.com