What's happening
This bill allows the sale of beverage containers with recyclable plastic holding devices made from at least 90% post-consumer recycled HDPE.
Why it matters
Expands options for beverage packaging. By allowing plastic holding devices made from at least 90% post-consumer recycled HDPE, the bill encourages manufacturers to use more recycled content, potentially reducing reliance on virgin plastics and supporting recycling markets.
Maintains environmental safeguards. The new packaging must still meet criteria such as being recyclable and not having holes larger than 1.75 inches in diameter, which helps prevent wildlife entanglement and ensures compatibility with recycling systems.
Could drive innovation and investment. Allowing this type of packaging may incentivize companies to invest in recycling infrastructure and the development of sustainable packaging technologies, further integrating recycled materials into mainstream products.
Reflects a shift in environmental policy. The bill changes the focus from requiring plastic devices to decompose (biodegradable/photodegradable) to recognizing the value of recycling and the circular economy, aligning state law with evolving best practices in waste management.
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Who cares
Beverage deposit initiators and distributors
The bill would let them sell beverage containers connected by recyclable plastic holders made of at least 90% post-consumer recycled high-density polyethylene, with no holes greater than 1¾ inches in diameter.
Beverage retailers
Dealers would gain an alternative to plastic holding devices that decompose through photodegradation or biodegradation.
Beverage packaging manufacturers
The bill would permit qualifying recycled-plastic holding devices, giving manufacturers another packaging option for the New York market.
Post-consumer plastics recyclers
The alternative would require at least 90% post-consumer recycled high-density polyethylene, creating a potential market for that material.
Headline styles
Allow Recycled Plastic Bottles
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 51–7
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.312
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 57–5
Show 5 earlier actions
- Ordered to third reading cal.1915
- Print number 6195a
- Amend and recommit to rules
- Reported and committed to rules
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Recycled Plastic Bottles
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6195--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. O'MARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Rules -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to permitting the use of recyclable beverage container packaging
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 27-1011 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 7 of part SS of chapter 59 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
3. No deposit initiator, distributor or dealer shall sell or offer for sale in this state beverage containers connected to each other by a separate holding device constructed of plastic [which does not decompose], unless such device decomposes by photodegradation or biodegradation or such device is recyclable, made of at least ninety percent postconsumer recycled high density polyethylene, and does not have any holes greater than one and three-quarters inches in diameter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11680-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to permitting the use of recyclable beverage container packaging
Purpose
To expand the definition of allowable plastic beverage containers to include those made of at least 90% post-consumer recycled high density polyethylene and have no holes greater than 1 X inches in diameter.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill would modify Environmental Conservation Law Section 27-1011(3) by adding a provision to existing law which would expand the definition of allowable plastic beverage container handles. It would allow those containers which include those made of at least 90% post-consumer recycled high density polyethylene and have no holes greater than 1 % inches in diameter
Section two is the effective date.
Justification
The original language of the Bottle Bill seeks to minimize environmental impact and danger to wildlife by requiring that plastic connector rings degrade either through biodegradation or the exposure to light. Since the enactment of the Bottle Bill, additional sustainable and environmentally friendly connectors have been developed. These products are not recognized under current law.
The new carriers have prohibitively small holes, so wildlife cannot be entangled, are made from highly recyclable High Density Polythethylene and may be recycled in residential curbside recycling programs. Therefore, they will not populate landfills or have the ability to harm fish and wildlife.Further, the environmentally friendly packaging eliminates the need for paperboard packaging, creating a further environmental benefit.
These beverage carriers are frequently used by the nascent and growing craft beverage industry in New York. The ability of small businesses to avail themselves of this environmentally friendly packaging means a greater ability to sell their craft products and support the economy. At the time the original legislation was written, there was no contemplation of these plastic beverage holding devices. As a result, legislation is necessary to ensure that this packaging can continue on the market and assist in the economic success of New York.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.