Oppose Costly, Inefficient EPR Legislation That Will Hurt New York’s Beverage Industry

New extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation being considered in Albany aims to improve recycling across New York – but unfortunately, takes an unprecedented, costly and inefficient approach that will hurt hardworking New Yorkers, including businesses like yours and the consumers you serve every day.

There are better models to improve recycling across our state that should be considered, including plans already adopted by other states that focus on efficiency, consumer convenience, waste reduction and financial stability.

Stand with your colleagues in opposition to this unprecedented, harmful approach to EPR and demand better recycling solutions in New York!

Dear [Lawmaker],

I am writing to you as one of 14,000 workers employed by the beverage industry in New York who stand opposed to A.1749/S.1464, current Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation that would severely impact consumers and businesses across our state.

These bills take an unprecedented approach to EPR, banning ALL packaging from sale in New York if it cannot be recycled, which would take virtually all flexible packaging off the market in New York over a very short period of time. This would not only irreversibly harm the beverages consumers know and love, but would also alter how huge swaths of grocery, personal care, and home improvement products are sold today. The impact on consumer choices and prices would be dramatic – especially so for low-income communities. And by forcing production lines to halt completely in New York, good-paying jobs supported by the beverage industry, including Teamster jobs, could be impacted as well.

Companies like mine manufacture, bottle and distribute beverages to New Yorkers every day, and we have a responsibility to contribute to the communities where we live and work. We are not opposed to well-designed EPR programs for packaging and paper products but believe more practical models based on consensus legislation adopted in other states, including Minnesota, Maryland or Colorado, that allow for programs that are more efficient and effective, financially sustainable, convenient to consumers and focus on improving rates of recycling across the state.

Well-designed EPR solutions can advance a circular economy, help to reduce waste from packaging and take the financial burden of recycling off taxpayers and local government.

I stand with my colleagues across the industry in opposing A.1749/S.1464 so that we can prioritize real solutions that will improve New York’s recycling system and provide long-term benefits for our communities, hardworking employees across the state, and our environment.

Sincerely,
______

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