Res. No. 853

Resolution calling on the New York State legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.5554, which would prohibit use of single-use plastics in state parks, A.6990/S.2981, which would prohibit the sale or manufacture of certain single-use plastic water bottles and single-use plastic beverage containers, and S.7345, which would enact the NY Plastic Free Act.

By Council Members Velázquez, Hanif, Gutiérrez and Brewer

Whereas, Plastics are in products used in daily life ranging from bicycle safety helmets, cellphones, and food storage containers; and

Whereas, Over the last 70 years, plastic production has increased dramatically with over 390 million tons produced in 2021, as opposed to 2 million tons produced in 1950; and 

Whereas, Single-use plastics are a class of products that are designed to be discarded immediately after use, including items such as plastic straws, cutlery, disposable cups and plates, food containers, shopping bags, and packaging materials; and

Whereas, While some single-use plastics serve vital purposes, such as surgical gloves, packaging that helps keep surgical tools and medical supplies sterile, and straws for people with disabilities, these uses represent a small fraction of the single-use plastics that are manufactured every year; and

Whereas, Approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste enters the oceans from coastal nations each year, making it difficult to remove plastic waste and keep the oceans clean and safe for wildlife; and

Whereas, Plastics harm wildlife, killing millions of animals every year as a result of entanglement, or through starvation from blocking digestive tracts in animals such as seals, whales, turtles, and birds after accidental consumption; and

Whereas, Plastics contain additives to make them strong and durable, extending the life of these products when they become litter, and taking an estimated 400 years to break down; and

Whereas, Currently, single-use plastics account for 40 percent of the plastic produced each year, a figure that is expected to continue increasing, affecting the environment and, more importantly, overwhelming the world’s ability to deal with their disposal; and

Whereas, A.5554, sponsored by New York State Assemblymember Keith P. Brown, currently pending in the New York State Assembly, seeks to prohibit the sale of single-use plastic and polystyrene foam in state parks in order to reduce use of single-use plastics in New York State; and

Whereas, A.6990, sponsored by New York State Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, currently pending in the New York State Assembly, and companion bill S.2981, sponsored by New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh, currently pending in the New York State Senate, seeks to prohibit the sale or manufacture of single-use plastic water bottles not comprised of 100 percent recycled material, prohibit the sale of single-use plastic beverage containers comprised of less than 75 percent recycled materials, establishes penalties for violations, and requires food service establishments to provide customers with tap water, beverages, and leftovers in reusable beverage containers provided by a customer; and

Whereas, S.7345, sponsored by New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker, currently pending in the New York State Senate, known as the NY Plastic Free Act, seeks to prohibit the sale or distribution of single-use plastic products in New York State while providing exceptions for people with medical conditions and single-use plastic bags for garbage collection; and  

Whereas, A.5554, A.6990/S.2981, and S.7345 would ensure that New York State would reduce the use of single-use plastics by the public, government, and manufacturers to try to decrease plastic waste and improve waste management systems and recycling; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.5554, which would prohibit use of single-use plastics in state parks, A.6990/S.2981, which would prohibit the sale or manufacture of certain single-use plastic water bottles and single-use plastic beverage containers, and S.7345, which would enact the NY Plastic Free Act.

PM

LS# 14647, 14646, 14645

11/30/2023