New York is on the brink of passing a groundbreaking bill aimed at drastically reducing single-use plastic waste.
James Bruggers reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- The proposed legislation in New York targets a 50% reduction in plastic packaging waste within 12 years, focusing on single-use plastics which constitute a significant portion of global pollution.
- This "polluter pays" bill places the financial responsibility for packaging waste management on the producers, aligning with New York's climate law goals.
- The bill, seen as a potential model for other states, includes provisions for banning certain toxic chemicals in plastic packaging.
Key quote:
“Right now, we have a system where companies create products, they put it in packaging, the products are sold to people and then municipalities and taxpayers have to deal with the waste that is created.”
— Jennifer Congdon, deputy director of Beyond Plastics
Why this matters:
This legislation addresses the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution. It represents a significant step in reshaping waste management and recycling, potentially setting a precedent for nationwide action on environmental health issues.
Be sure to read: California moves forward with landmark plastic waste reduction law
