BILL NUMBER: S5489
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
declaring the goal of the state of New York to source reduce, reuse,
recycle, or compost no less than eighty-five percent of the solid waste
generated by the year 2035
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To increase the State's recycling rates.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to establish the
State goal to source reduce, reuse, recycle or compost no less than 85%
of the solid waste generated in the State by 2032, and annually there-
after. This bill also authorizes the Department of Environmental Conser-
vation to work with municipalities to achieve the State goal and
requires them to report to the Governor and Legislature by January 1,
2026.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
By reducing or diverting waste from landfills and incinerators the harm-
ful effects of pollution can be mitigated. A State commitment to source
reduce, reuse, recycle or compost no less than 85% of generated solid
waste by 2032 will help provide greater focus on those worthy
goals.California has a statewide approach to decrease reliance on land-
fills and set a goal of 75% for recycling, composting and solid waste
reduction by this year. The European Union also has targets for recycl-
ing 65% of municipal waste, 75% of packaging waste and reducing munici-
pal waste in landfills to a maximum of 10% by 2033.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024; S3287
2022:S.139-A (Thomas)/A.4117 (Englebright) - Veto, Memo 49.
2020: S.7904 (Thomas)/A.9832 (Englebright) - Referred to Environmental
Conservation Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None noted to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately..

Statutes affected:
S5489: 3-0301 environmental conservation law, 3-0301(1) environmental conservation law