BILL NUMBER: S1129
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
banning the use of polystyrene foam docks, buoys and floating structures
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this act is to prohibit the sale of expanded polystyrene
foam in buoys, docks, or floating structures.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: defines buoy, dock, encapsulated, expanded polystyrene foam,
extruded polystyrene foam, rigid polystyrene, and floating structure;
-prohibits the sale, distribution, or use of certain expanded polystyr-
ene foam products starting January 1, 2026
Section 2: provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Banning polystyrene in docks will help protect our environment and the
health of our waterways. Polystyrene is a non-biodegradable material
that can take hundreds of years to decompose causing significant harm to
marine life, ecosystems, and impairs recreational enjoyment of our
State's natural environment.
When polystyrene is used in docks, the natural erosion processes at
shorelines can easily break the polystyrene into smaller, even micro-
scopic, pieces and release harmful chemicals into the water. These
pieces and chemicals are toxic to, and often ingested by, fish, and
other aquatic life posing a threat to fisheries. They can also contam-
inate the drinking water and recreational spaces that New Yorkers rely
on across the State.
The bill also requires that any encapsulation of polystyrene docks
currently in use must provide an effective physical barrier that lasts
at least ten years and which is resistant to corrosion and decay. This
will help ensure that any polystyrene currently used in docks is proper-
ly contained and does not break down and release harmful chemicals into
the water.
 
BILL HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.7977-A (May) / A.8142 (Kelles)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.