Late last night, after two weeks of intense negotiations, delegates meeting at the United Nations finally agreed to language for a High Seas Treaty. This is a major milestone in a nearly two-decade effort to secure a treaty to govern and protect the High Seas, which make up 70% of the ocean and cover nearly half the planet. More than 160,000 supporters spoke up and urged leaders to act. This public support, along with the great work of partners like RISE UP, the High Seas Alliance, Greenpeace, and more, helped show decision-makers that people all over the world were watching and wanted action — and they delivered. There is still more work to do, as nations will now need to formally adopt the language and ratify the treaty at the country level. We will continue to keep you updated on campaign developments and the critical moments where we need your support.
Add your name to the petition, and we’ll deliver your signature to key New York lawmakers.
Right now, New Yorkers have no control over how much single-use packaging is pumped into the market by retailers and companies. As a result, companies have spent decades creating crushing amounts of plastic pollution and waste, and New Yorkers have been forced to bear the costs.
But a new bill that’s backed by environmental groups across New York could turn the plastics crisis on its head.
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Act (A.5322/S.4246) would require companies to:
Reduce their packaging by 50% in 12 years.
Make the remaining packaging truly reusable or recyclable.
Get certain toxic chemicals out of packaging.
Pay to clean up their packaging waste by reimbursing municipalities and taxpayers for the collection and processing of those materials.
Prohibit incineration and "chemical recycling" from counting as recycling.
Nearly all packaging that cannot be reused or effectively recycled is made of plastic. New York City alone trashes 1,579,600 pounds of plastic bottles and jugs every week, and spends $425 million each year to export its waste to incinerators and landfills — which comes directly out of taxpayers’ pockets.
Even worse, much of the waste finds its way to waterways, where it can choke wildlife, leach toxic chemicals, and threaten human health. Fenceline communities where plastic is produced suffer toxic pollution that contributes to disease and lower quality of life.
For people and for the planet, New York must use this critical opportunity to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Act. But our window to pass this legislation is closing — we only have until June 8th, when New York’s lawmakers break for the year.
Can you raise your voice, and help us hold manufacturers accountable for their pollution? Sign the petition, and tell legislators to pass the Packing Reduction and Recycling Act.
In partnership,
Surfrider Foundation and Only One
Click here to view the official petition language, which we will deliver to New York lawmakers.
