What's happening
This bill requires state and municipal agencies in New York to purchase compostable single-use tableware if affordable options are available.
Why it matters
Drives state and local government demand for greener products. By mandating compostable tableware purchases, the bill could help expand the market for compostable products, encouraging manufacturers to innovate and lowering prices over time.
Sets a clear affordability standard. The law only requires agencies to purchase compostable items if they are no more than 15% more expensive than traditional options, balancing environmental goals with cost concerns for taxpayers.
Promotes consistent composting standards. The bill provides a rigorous definition of "compostable," ensuring that purchased products genuinely break down without leaving harmful residues, which matters for soil health and effective composting programs.
May influence broader purchasing trends. With government agencies required to buy compostable tableware, private organizations and businesses may follow suit, amplifying the environmental impact and potentially reducing single-use plastic waste statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Compostable Tableware Purchases
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Reported referred to rules
- Print number 1437a
- Amend (t) and recommit to environmental conservation
- 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.
Require Compostable Tableware Purchases
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor James Sanders Jr.
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1437--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 15, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. EPSTEIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to requiring state and municipal agencies to purchase compostable single use tableware
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Article 27 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new title 30 to read as follows:
TITLE 30
COMPOSTABLE SINGLE USE TABLEWARE Section 27-3001. Definitions.
27-3003. Required compostable single use tableware. § 27-3001. Definitions.
For the purposes of this title, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1. "Affordable" means purchasable for not more than fifteen percent more than the purchase cost of the non-compostable alternative.
2. "Agency" means any department, agency, board, public benefit corporation, public authority, or commission.
3. "Compostable" means all the materials in the product will (a) undergo degradation by biological processes during composting to yield carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate consistent with other known compostable materials and (b) leave no visible, distinguishable or toxic residue, including no adverse impact on the ability of composts to support plant growth once the finished compost is placed in soil.
4. "Municipal" means a village, town, city, or county.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02538-02-9
A. 1437--A 2
5. "Single use tableware" means all utensils, plates, dishes and cups that are designed for one-time use. § 27-3003. Required compostable single use tableware.
All state and municipal agencies purchasing single use tableware shall purchase single use tableware made from material that is compostable unless there is no affordable compostable product available.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.