This bill has three important features.
Meaningful waste reduction goals
The legislation centers strong waste reduction targets and recognizes the often overlooked costs of plastic packaging. Unlike glass, steel, and aluminum, plastic is not designed to be recycled. The goal is to reduce curbside recycling in municipalities struggling to deal with the amount of waste they generate, the majority of which is plastic containers and packaging, while achieving important environmental, economic and social benefits. Helps reduce pressure on the program. This bill recognizes the need for significant reductions in packaging waste and requires:
- Gradual milestones will reduce packaging material by 50% within 12 years.
- A recycling rate of 75% for remaining packaging waste by 2050 was also achieved in stages, with separate standards for non-plastic and plastic packaging.
- Require packaging materials to be truly reusable or recyclable.
Banning toxic additives and problematic plastics
S4246A/A5322A limits some of the most hazardous substances in packaging and also addresses problematic plastics. In its latest fact sheet, “The Worst of the Worst: High-Priority Plastic Materials, Chemical Additives, and Products to Phase Out,” NRDC identifies plastic polymers that pose serious risks to human health and wellness. , additives, and products are being phased out. They have a negative impact on the environment, are difficult to recycle, interfere with mechanical recycling systems, or are simply unnecessary (like many single-use plastic products). The law expands on many of these recommendations by banning the use of the most hazardous substances in packaging, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PFAS (“permanent chemicals”), formaldehyde, bisphenols, toluene, and heavy metals. are dealing with. The bill also bans other problematic plastics, such as colored plastics, which are notoriously difficult to recycle. Toxic substances in packaging that come into contact with food can leak out of the packaging, leach into the food and drinks we consume, and accumulate in the body, contributing to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, and infertility. This is of particular concern because of its nature.
Promote improvements and investment in traditional recycling infrastructure rather than chemical recycling
Finally, this bill would encourage investment in traditional (mechanical) recycling infrastructure rather than so-called “chemical recycling,” a false solution promoted by the fossil fuel and plastics industries. “Chemical recycling” is not actually recycling; it does not contribute to a harmless circular economy, causes harmful air pollution, and produces hazardous waste in industrial facilities that are often located in low-income communities of color. I know that I will.
Importantly, this law places part of the cost of disposing of post-consumer packaging waste on producers rather than local governments or taxpayers. It includes a funding mechanism to ensure municipalities are reimbursed for recycling, composting and waste reduction activities. It also provides for the establishment of an independent Recycling Inspector General's Office within the Department to ensure implementation and enforcement of the Act.
The Barbie movies provided thought-provoking commentary on feminism and the legacy of Barbie dolls, and provided great summer entertainment for millions, but the impact of plastic facades on our fragile planet… I didn't talk about it. Back here in the real world, we want to maximize waste reduction, especially plastic waste, reduce pollution and exposure to toxic substances, and expand municipal recycling infrastructure to better serve our communities. , we need laws like the New York State Waste Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act.
