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
Directs public spending toward environmentally responsible products. By requiring agencies to buy compostable tableware when affordable, the bill leverages public procurement to drive demand for sustainable products, potentially accelerating the shift away from plastics.
Defines affordability to balance sustainability and budgets. The law sets a clear affordability threshold—no more than 15% above non-compostable alternatives—helping to ensure that environmental goals do not create unreasonable financial burdens for state and municipal agencies.
Promotes market growth and innovation for compostable products. By establishing a large, guaranteed customer base (state and local agencies), the bill could encourage manufacturers to innovate and scale up production of compostable tableware, which may lower prices and increase availability over time.
Establishes clear standards for what qualifies as 'compostable'. The bill specifies that products must fully break down without toxic residue or harming compost quality, protecting against misleading “greenwashing” and ensuring real environmental benefits.
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Who cares
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Require Compostable Tableware Purchases
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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 Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Harvey Epstein
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7129
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2020
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
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.
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.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02538-03-9
S. 7129 2
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to requiring state and municipal agencies to purchase compostable single use tableware
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends Environmental Conservation Law article 27 by adding a new title 30 that requires all state and municipal agencies purchasing single use silverware to purchase compostable single use silverware unless there is no compostable alternative costing no more than fifteen percent more than the purchase cost of the non-compostable alternative.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Studies carried out by the United Nations Environment Program estimate that 8 million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans each year, causing profound harm to fragile ocean ecosystems as well as local economies that depend on their bodies of water to attract tourism. The problem of pollution from discarded single use plastic products persists on land as well. These single use products are rarely able to be recycled and as a result they end up leeching toxic chemicals like chlorine, phthalates, and Bisphenol A (BPA) into our soil and water.
Compelling our state and municipal agencies to purchase compostable single use silverware is an appropriate way to reduce the quantity of plastic waste that pollutes our environment and negatively impacts the health of New Yorkers.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: A10948 (Epstein)
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To Be Determined.
Effective date
Ninety days after becoming law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.