Assemblywoman Chandler-Waterman: Protect Brooklyn Residents and Support the NY Packaging-Reduction Bill

Chances are you bought something recently packaged with plastic. Chances are you didn’t choose the packaging; that’s just the way it came. But you’re paying more than you think for that throw-away plastic. It’s hazardous to your health, you're the one covering its disposal cost, and the single-use plastic packaging problem is only getting worse. Plastic production is expected to double nationwide in the next 20 years.

The New York Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (Assembly Bill 1749) would cut plastic packaging by 30% over 12 years, require at least 75% of remaining packaging to be reused or recycled by 2052, outlaw 17 harmful chemicals and materials used in packaging, and shift the cost of handling the waste from local taxpayers to manufacturers, thereby incentivizing safer packaging.

The bill has now passed the state Senate — but is facing increased opposition from big chemical companies. With plastic a proven hazard to human health and the environment, I am urging Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman to stand up to the big chemical companies and protect her constituents by supporting this legislation.

It's backed by over 300 groups and organizations across New York, including the NAACP, 350 Brooklyn, Big Reuse Brooklyn, Food and Water Watch Brooklyn, the Brooklyn-based Center for Zero Waste Design, CupZero, Re: Dish Co, Sure We Can, and Swing Left Target Majority.

And with 73% of New York voters supporting a reduction in product packaging, the bill is both good policy and good politics.

Tracy Penn
Brooklyn, NY