BILL NUMBER: S5331A
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
expanding the food donation and food scraps recycling program
 
PURPOSE:
Expands the New York State food scraps recycling and food donation
program.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision 1 of section 27-2201 of the environmental
conservation law by adding that a food scraps generator may average:
-two tons or more of food per week between Jan 1, 2022-Dec 31, 2023
-one ton or more of food per week between Jan 1,.2024-Dec 31, 2025
-one half ton or more of food per week starting Jan 1, 2026 and there-
after.
Section 2 updates existing language from "two tons" to "tonnage" to
reflect the expansion.
Section 3 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In a recent article, the New York Times highlighted how food production
and food waste are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Each
step of food production from growing, harvesting, processing and packag-
ing to transportation and storing releases harmful gasses such as carbon
dioxide, and methane into the air. On average, we wasted about 35-40% of
the food we produce, says Emily Broad Leib, the director of the Harvard
Food Law and Policy Clinic.
This results in food production being to blame for almost 25-33% of
greenhouse gas emissions worldwide- and when that food is wasted, the
emissions that brought it forth are too. 1
Food scraps are often perfectly safe to eat, but end up being thrown out
where they sit in landfills to decompose and release even more methane.
Making excess foods more available to qualifying entities can feed New
York's lower income populations. This expansion will not only help feed
our hungry and address food insecurity, but will prevent additional
costs to food scraps generators and result in less food waste.
As the clock ticks down on climate change repercussions, New York must
be examining our means of sustainability and climate accountability in
all sectors we see fit.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: S9562 Died in Rules
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/20/climate/food-waste-app.html/