NYC Plastic Bag Recycling Law Goes Into Effect, State Bill To Weaken City Law - Take Action: Tell Albany To Get With The Program
July 31st, 2008 by Ethan
A new law by the NYC City Council went into effect last week mandating that stores of 5,000 square feet or more or chains of five stores or more must collect and recycle plastic bags that they give to consumers.
Stores will be required to provide bag collection points in visible locations, they must use bags that display a message to remind consumers to return the bags for recycling, and they must submit annual reports to the Department of Sanitation. The law also applies to package wrap, dry cleaning bags and newspaper bags. Any store in violation of the law will be subject to a fine of up to $300 per day.
But a similar law pending in Albany would be much weaker, only requiring plastic bag recycling of stores that are twice the size of the city’s — 10,000 square feet — and only addressing plastic carry-out bags. Where the city law makes clear the responsibilities of bag manufacturers, the state law shows no clear obligation on the manufacturer’s part to collect, transport or recycle bags.
With the stronger city law now in effect and the bill headed to Governor David Paterson’s desk, the City Council has advocated for New Yorkers to let the state government know that we prefer the stronger city bill.
Speaker of the City Council, Christine Quinn:
“While I commend the State Legislature for following our lead and passing a statewide bill, the current version would cripple New York City’s ability to implement an effective and comprehensive bag recycling program [...] I urge Governor Paterson to veto the current legislation, and work with the City Council and State Legislature to maintain our stronger version of this law.”
Send Governor Paterson an email — or give his office a quick call — and let him know that NYC must be exempt from the state bill!
Send him an email by using this form.
Call his office: 518-474-8390
Listen to a report by WNYC News about the impending showdown:
Read about the squabble in the Queens Gazette:
The [City Council] lawmakers, demonstrating the dimensions of the plastic bag environmental problem, said one billion plastic bags are used annually in New York City and a large percentage wind up as street litter, clogging sewers and costing millions to take out of circulation.
More about the city version of the law from the City Council’s press conference last week.
Speaker Quinn:
“As this new law goes into effect, all New Yorkers will be able to do their part in reducing our carbon footprint and in ensuring that our waste is being put to good use.”
Council Member Michael McMahon, Chair of Sanitation and Solid Waste Committee:
“This is another step in City Council’s continuing effort to recycle as much of the city’s waste stream as possible. We know that plastic bags and plastic film that didn’t exist 15 years ago in our waste stream now accounts as much for 4% to 5% of what we dispose of in landfills.”
Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr., Chair of the Public Safety Committee:
“This law strikes a balance between conscience and convenience by allowing New Yorkers an outlet they need to protect our environment.”
Councilman James F. Gennaro, Chair of the Environmental Protection Committee:
“Plastic bags clogging our landfill and catch basins are an environmental scourge that only legislation like this can have a real effect upon.”
Eric A. Goldstein, New York Urban Program Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council:
“Because recently passed state legislation is less stringent than the new city law, we are urging Governor David Paterson to secure legislative agreement that the city’s plastic bag statute will remain in effect, prior to the Governor’s signing the new state legislation.”
Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters:
“The state should recognize that New York City has a more robust program for recycling plastic bags - a program that enjoys broad, bipartisan support from environmentalists, residents and the business community - and allow it to remain in effect.”
Take action for a stronger plastic bag recycling law in New York State — or one that allows NYC to have a stronger law!
Send Governor Paterson an email by using this form.
Call his office: 518-474-8390
Photo: Queens Gazette / William Alatriste
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