Bette Midler, Founder of the New York Restoration Project, said: “The New York Restoration Project commends Governor Paterson for recognizing the need for New York City to have a more stringent program for recycling plastic bags. Americans use over 84 billion plastic bags annually, about one billion of them in New York City. This is an important step toward building a comprehensive solid waste management regime, and on behalf of all of us in New York City, I thank you for your understanding of the severity of the problem and your cooperation in finding a solution.”
http://hvpress.net/
December 14th, 2008
Legislation Promotes Plastic Bag Recycling
Governor Dave Paterson
Governor David A. Paterson today announced he has signed legislation to increase the collection and recycling of plastic carryout bags. Under the new law, A.11725 (Sweeney)/S.8643-A (Marcellino), which will require collection and recycling to begin on January 1, 2009, retail establishments with more than 10,000 square feet of retail space, or those that are part of a chain with more than five stores (each with more than 5,000 square feet of retail space), must provide bins for the collection of used plastic carryout bags, recycle the returned bags, and keep records for three years describing the amount of plastic bags collected and recycled.
“Even during difficult times we must be protective stewards of our environment, and continue to find ways to keep our daily routines from negatively impacting the long-term health of the planet,” said Governor Paterson. “By making changes in our daily lives and business practices, we can conserve natural resources, save energy and reduce our ecological footprint.”
Judith Enck, Deputy Secretary for the Environment, said: “Plastic bags, made from petroleum are a persistent litter and environmental problem. Nationally, we discard nearly 100 billion plastic bags every year ”“ with lots of them ending up on our streets, in our parks and in our lakes and streams. The bill signed by Governor Paterson will make it easier for New Yorkers to recycle used plastic bags and encourage greater use of reusable bags. Governor Paterson’s commitment to environmental sustainability continues with the signing of this bill.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said: “Governor Paterson has delivered a significant win for the environment. This new law will help boost recycling and reduce waste goals all New Yorkers share.”
Senator Carl Marcellino, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, said: “This bill will make it convenient and easy for residents across the State to recycle plastic bags. Their efforts will save landfill space, reduce litter and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. It is small steps like these that green our world.”
Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney, Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, said: “This is the strongest state plastic bag recycle law in the country. New York consumers and environmentalists can be proud that our state is taking strong action to reduce the amount of loose plastic bags that would otherwise end up in our delicate ecosystem. This law will also cut down the amount of petroleum used to produce these bags. I thank Governor Paterson and the advocates for our environment and natural resources for their work in supporting this important legislation.”
With a comprehensive plastic recycling law in place at the state level, local governments are pre-empted from adopting their own laws on this topic. However, pursuant to an agreement reached with the Legislature, additional legislation will be enacted to amend the bill signed today to (1) allow New York City to retain an effective and popular local law that established a City-wide recycling program for plastic carryout bags and film plastics, and (2) require the recycling of film plastics as part of the State-wide program. The Governor urged lawmakers to move swiftly to pass this amending legislation.
Bette Midler, Founder of the New York Restoration Project, said: “The New York Restoration Project commends Governor Paterson for recognizing the need for New York City to have a more stringent program for recycling plastic bags. Americans use over 84 billion plastic bags annually, about one billion of them in New York City. This is an important step toward building a comprehensive solid waste management regime, and on behalf of all of us in New York City, I thank you for your understanding of the severity of the problem and your cooperation in finding a solution.”
Eric A. Goldstein, New York Urban Program Director at the Natural Resource Defense Council, said: “The billions of plastic bags that are used in New York State every year impose a mounting environmental burden. They litter our streets, sidewalks, highways and parks. They get into waterways and endanger marine life. They end up in landfills, where it can take up to 1,000 years for them to decompose. Substituting throw-away plastic bags with reusable sacks is a small lifestyle change that can make a big difference over time. So NRDC is pleased to see new state legislation that advances plastic bag recycling across the Empire State and preserves New York City’s recently passed statute. Bravo to Governor Paterson, State Assembly and Senate leaders and City Council Speaker Quinn for moving the ball down the field with the legislation signed by Governor Paterson.”
