City Hall \u2013 Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Council Members Peter Vallone, Jr. and Michael McMahon today called on Governor Paterson to block State legislation that would preempt and weaken the City Council\u2019s plastic bag recycling law. The State version of the City Council\u2019s bill would dramatically reduce the number of stores in New York City required to recycle plastic carryout bags. In addition, it would eliminate the City\u2019s ability to enforce any bag recycling law or ensure that businesses are in compliance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I commend the State Legislature for following our lead and passing a statewide bill, the current version would cripple New York City\u2019s ability to implement an effective and comprehensive bag recycling program,\u201d said Speaker Quinn. \u201cI am disappointed that the State would take such action without consulting the City Council, especially as our law is scheduled to take effect in a matter of weeks. This will only add confusion to the many businesses working to comply with our law. I urge Governor Paterson to veto the current legislation, and work with the City Council and State Legislature to maintain our stronger version of this law.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlbany cannot seem to take one step forward without taking two steps back. It’s great that they have enacted statewide plastic bag legislation, but it’s terrible that they have significantly weakened our law and have restricted the right of New York City and others to do even more,\u201d said Peter F. Vallone Jr., who introduced the City Council\u2019s plastic bag recycling bill. \u201cAlbany is not just recycling our ideas, but also throwing our authority into the landfill.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe State\u2019s legislation, while well intentioned, will undermine the hard work of the Council and advocate community to bring far reaching plastic bag recycling to New York City,\u201d said Sanitation Committee Chair Michael McMahon. \u201cAnd by taking the power of enforcement out of local hands, they are all but ensuring that this legislation will go ignored. Governor Paterson can not allow the current legislation to become law.\u201d<\/p>\n
Specific ways in which the State bill would weaken the City\u2019s law include:<\/p>\n
The State bill would preempt the City from taking stronger action on bag recycling, now or at any future point.
\nWhile the Council\u2019s law applies to stores of 5,000 square feet or more and to chains under a common name, the State bill only applies to stores 10,000 square feet or more, and to chains under common ownership or management. The 5,000 square feet requirement is better suited to the City\u2019s needs, as stores tend to be much smaller than in other parts of the State.
\nThe State bill only applies to plastic carryout bags. The Council\u2019s law also required the recycling of film plastic, such as package wrap, dry cleaning bags and newspaper bags.
\nThe Council\u2019s law has clear responsibilities for manufacturers of plastic bags. They must, upon the request of a store owner to whom they sell plastic bags, make arrangements for the collection, transport and recycling of plastic pursuant to the provisions of the law. Under the State law, there appears to be no manufacturer obligation to collect, transport or recycle bags.
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City Hall \u2013 Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Council Members Peter Vallone, Jr. and Michael McMahon today called on Governor Paterson to block State legislation that would preempt and weaken the City Council\u2019s plastic bag recycling law. The State version of the City Council\u2019s bill would dramatically reduce the number of stores in New York City required to recycle plastic carryout bags.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n