ALBANY, New York — Lawmakers agreed on a sweeping measure to reduce the amount of plastic and packaging headed to landfills by 30 percent over 12 years.
The new version of the bill was filed late Monday night, giving supporters of the effort hopes for a vote before the state legislative session ends this week. A leading proponent for plastic reduction endorsed this version, as did state Sen. Pete Harckham, who chairs the Environmental Conservation Committee and said he expects a floor vote this week.
“A 30 percent reduction in 12 years in packaging waste is substantial — it’ll still be the strongest law in the country,” Harckham told POLITICO on Tuesday.
The measure would require makers and distributors of consumer goods — from potato chips to laundry detergent — to reduce the amount of packaging they use and pay fees set by a producer-run group to assist with the disposal of the remaining waste.
