New York Lobby Day: People over Plastic

Lobby Day in Albany has come and gone, with the objective of advocating for passage of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), S.1464/A.1749. This remains a priority not only for the GCA Zone III Conservation Committee, but also for New Yorkers and future generations.

Melinda Beuf and Laura Sells-Doyle traveled to Albany to join other New York Zone III garden clubs in support of the legislation. Above, Judith Enck of Beyond Plastics stands between New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick at a news conference regarding the bill they sponsor. Although the measure has passed the New York State Senate in two previous sessions, it continues to face strong opposition from industry lobbyists. Melinda and Laura also met with Assemblymember Michael Cashman, Assemblymember Matthew Simpson, and New York State Senator Daniel Stec.

As noted previously, skyrocketing waste-management costs, misconceptions surrounding recycling, the rise of microplastics in the human body, and concerns over so-called “forever chemicals” are among the factors driving momentum behind PRRIA. One key provision of the legislation is the elimination of 17 toxic chemicals and materials commonly used in packaging.

One example involves canned tomatoes. Many cans are lined with an epoxy coating intended to prevent metal corrosion; however, the high acidity of tomatoes can cause the lining to break down into the food. These epoxy linings often contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor linked to reproductive health concerns and certain cancers. BPA is among the chemicals targeted for elimination under the proposed legislation.

The bill applies only to single-use packaging materials. The phaseout of these chemicals would occur over a period of years, and exemptions are included for small businesses, medical products, dairy cooperatives, and other specified uses.