BILL NUMBER: S706
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
updating the definition of the term "reusable bag"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to update the definition of a "reusable bag"
to include bags made from plastic that can be recycled.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 expands the definition of "reusable bags." Section 2 sets the
effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Since New York's plastic bag ban law has been in effect there's been a
great deal of discussion of what is an appropriate "reusable bag." The
law does not permit a reusable bag to be primarily comprised of post-
consumer recycled plastic, even if the bag is fully recyclable. New
York is the only state with this provision.
This bill would include bags that are comprised of at least 80% recycled
content and are fully recyclable in definition of reusable bag. These
bags are made of post-consumer recycled plastic, recycling single-use
plastic items such as shrink wrap, stretch film, mailer bags and other
LDPE plastic upcycling it into a valuable and durable product rather
than adding it to the solid waste stream. This creates a closed loop
system for the lifecycle of these products to facilitate the recycling
and reuse of these bags.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S8886 May / A9942 (Burdick)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
30 days after becoming law.

Statutes affected:
S706: 27-2701 environmental conservation law, 27-2701(5) environmental conservation law