Res. No. 628
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to enact legislation that regulates the amount and type of packaging used to encase goods procured by the State and all localities.
By Council Members Sanders Jr., Brewer, Cabrera, Gentile, James, Koppell, Palma, Seabrook, Williams, Mark-Viverito, Levin, Chin, Van Bramer, Recchia, Vallone, Lappin, Jackson, Gennaro and Barron
Whereas, New York City agencies purchase millions of dollars of goods each year; and
Whereas, The packaging used to protect such goods during transport and delivery produces large amounts of solid waste that enters the waste stream; and
Whereas, Many vendors are not eco-friendly in that they: (i) use non-recyclable materials; (ii) use toxic materials that could be replaced with less-toxic alternatives; (iii) fail to use materials that contain a significant percentage of recycled content; or (iv) unnecessarily over-package the goods; and
Whereas, The solid waste resulting from such packaging ultimately contributes to pollution that costs the City millions of dollars in disposal fees each year; and
Whereas, the same conditions with regard to solid waste resulting from packaging occur in all jurisdictions throughout the State; and
Whereas, In order to decrease the amount of solid waste generated by the packaging used to encase the goods purchased by the City, State and other localities, the State Legislature would need to enact legislation to regulate the type and amount of packaging used in public procurement; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to enact legislation that regulates the amount and type of packaging used to encase goods procured by the State and all localities.
LC
LS #1920
1.12.2011