What's happening
This bill bans most government purchases of single-use plastic products in New York, with limited exceptions for medical and sanitation needs.
Why it matters
Aims to significantly reduce plastic waste generated by state and local government operations, which could lower environmental cleanup costs and pollution impacts in New York’s waterways and communities.
By including a broad list of items (bags, straws, packaging, containers, cutlery, styrofoam, and allowing the list to expand), the bill targets many common sources of single-use plastic pollution that are often not recycled.
Creates a framework for ongoing oversight and enforcement by requiring the attorney general to investigate violations and report to top state officials, potentially increasing accountability among government agencies.
Allows exceptions only for medical and sanitation purposes, which recognizes the necessity of some plastic products while still pushing for a large-scale shift to alternatives, potentially stimulating demand for more sustainable procurement solutions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban State Single-Use Plastics
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
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.
Ban State Single-Use Plastics
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8772
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
November 25, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. FAHY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to enacting the "environmentally conscious purchasing act"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "environmentally conscious purchasing act".
§ 2. Section 165 of the state finance law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
2-a. Prohibition on the purchase of single-use plastic products.
a. For the purposes of this subdivision, "single-use plastic products" shall include:
(i) plastic bags;
(ii) cling film plastic food packaging;
(iii) non-recyclable plastic bottles;
(iv) plastic straws;
(v) plastic plates, non-reusable plastic containers, plastic cups, plastic lids, and plastic stirrers;
(vi) plastic cutlery;
(vii) plastic rings used in packaging;
(viii) styrofoam plates, styrofoam take-away containers and styrofoam trays; and
(ix) any other single-use plastic products determined to be included by the office of general services, in consultation with the department of environmental conservation.
b. Except as provided in this subdivision, the state and any governmental agency or political subdivision or public benefit corporation of the state shall not purchase or obtain for any purpose any single-use plastic product.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13841-02-9
A. 8772 2
c. The provisions of paragraph b of this subdivision shall not apply to:
(i) the purchase of plastic straws for a person requiring such straws due to a medical condition;
(ii) the purchase of single-use plastic bags for garbage collection; and
(iii) single-use plastic medical equipment.
d. The attorney general shall investigate any violation of this subdivision and provide a report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.