SUPPORT

Extended Producer Responsibility

For Packaging in New York State

What is EPR?

EPR is a common-sense solution that makes producers responsible for managing the cost of disposing their products’ packaging after use.

Instead of local governments and taxpayers bearing the costs, producers fund and support recycling and disposal systems.

This approach incentivizes producers to design packaging that’s easier to recycle and reuse.

EPR for New York

1

Excess Packaging

Packaging makes up 42% of New York’s waste, but only 20% is recycled.

2

Recycling Access

Curbside recycling isn’t available to all New Yorkers, especially those in multi-family buildings and rural communities.

3

Helps the Economy

EPR creates jobs, reimburses local governments for recycling expenses, and reduces landfill use and incineration.

4

Helps the Environment

By keeping materials in circulation, EPR conserves resources, protects wildlife, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

5

Proven Policy Solution

EPR for packaging works! It’s already improving recycling systems in Europe, Canada, and several U.S. states.

What is EPR?

EPR is a common-sense solution that makes producers responsible for managing the cost of disposing their products’ packaging after use.

Instead of local governments and taxpayers bearing the costs, producers fund and support recycling and disposal systems.

This approach incentivizes producers to design packaging that’s easier to recycle and reuse.

EPR for New York

1

Excess Packaging

Packaging makes up 42% of New York’s waste, but only 20% is recycled.

2

Recycling Access

Curbside recycling isn’t available to all New Yorkers, especially those in multi-family buildings and rural communities.

3

Helps the Economy

EPR creates jobs, reimburses local governments for recycling expenses, and reduces landfill use and incineration.

4

Helps the Environment

By keeping materials in circulation, EPR conserves resources, protects wildlife, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

5

Proven Policy Solution

EPR for packaging works! It’s already improving recycling systems in Europe, Canada, and several U.S. states.

Municipal recycling programs are on the brink of failure after years of financial strain.

For the last several years, as global commodity markets have collapsed and expenses to collect and process recycling have increased, local governments have been forced to pay into an antiquated program flooded with materials that we cannot recycle.

The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), S.1464 (Harckham)/A.1749 (Glick), would provide meaningful relief to local governments by establishing an extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.

EPR for packaging has been successfully implemented for decades in Canadian provinces and throughout Europe and Asia. It’s past time to bring this common-sense solution to New York.

This legislation would:

  • Increase consumer participation and modernize New York’s recycling system at no cost to the state or local governments;

  • Reduce environmental impacts from manufacturing, collection, processing, recycling, and disposal of consumer packaging;

  • Protect public health by prohibiting certain toxic and dangerous chemicals in packaging, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS);

  • Provide an estimated $300 million in financial relief to counties and muncipalities; and

  • Create green jobs associated with material reuse, recovery, and remanufacturing.

Albany needs to hear your voice!

Together, we can solve the state’s recycling crisis and put New York on the path to a circular economy. Below are resources to get you involved.
Template

Support Letter

Another way for Albany to hear your voice is through support letters sent directly to Governor Hochul and key Senate and Assembly committees. Download this letter template, customize it, and send it to the Senate and Assembly leadership today!

Talking Points

This provides the knowledge and language you need to educate your governing body.

Download File

Factsheet

Share with your colleagues, and use in your conversations to push for packaging EPR.

Download File

Sample Resolution

Download this sample resolution urging the Enactment of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act.
Download File
Social Media Posts

Share your support on your county’s social media channels with these posts to help educate constituents and other stakeholders.

Blog Post

Download this blog posts, replace the highlighted text with your county’s name, and submit it to your local news site to advocate for packaging EPR.

Questions?

If you have questions about how you can get involved, please email Dawn Timm

Stay Connected

Sign up for Updates