Hold Manufacturers in New York Accountable for Their Pollution: Pass Bills A10184 and A10185

Right now, companies are creating crushing amounts of plastic pollution, and New Yorkers are forced to bear the costs. But two new plastics bills could change that and hold manufacturers — not taxpayers — accountable for the pollution they produce.

An unraveling crisis

New York generates more than 17 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, almost one ton per person. Less than one quarter of that waste is recycled. The rest chokes landfills, public spaces, beaches, and waterways. In just one example, studies estimate that at any given moment, 165 million plastic particles are floating in New York Harbor. 

Aside from being a major threat to biodiversity, human health, and quality of life, the cost of managing an ever-growing pile of waste is not cheap. Unclear labeling on plastic products and mixed material goods make separating the recyclable from the non-recyclable an expensive challenge, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions annually.

The solution

New York lawmakers are currently considering two bills, introduced by Assemblyman Steve Englebright, that will help tackle the problem. The bills include strong measures to make producers bear responsibility for their pollution, a concept known as extended producer responsibility (EPR), as well as an expansion and modernization of New York's successful 40-year-old Bottle Bill. Together, the bills would reduce waste, lower taxes, and help create corporate responsibility in New York.

It’s time to change the economic dynamics of plastics production and waste and put the cost and responsibility of keeping our communities clean on the companies creating the problem.

Add your name to urge New York State legislators to pass Bills A10184 and A10185, and hold producers accountable for their pollution. We’ll keep you up to date on progress.