June 20, 2025 –
New York’s Groundbreaking Plastic Waste Bill Stalls Again Amid Industry Pushback
New York State’s ambitious effort to tackle plastic pollution through systemic packaging reform has hit another legislative roadblock. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act failed to reach the Assembly floor for consideration this session, marking its second consecutive defeat despite strong Senate approval.
The proposed legislation would have created North America’s most comprehensive extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework for packaging materials. Key provisions included:
- Mandatory fees for corporations earning over $5 million annually
- A 30% reduction in packaging waste within 12 years
- Ban on 17 hazardous packaging substances
- Exclusion of chemical recycling from official recovery statistics
Environmental coalition Beyond Plastics estimates the bill could have saved state municipalities $1.3 billion in waste management costs over a decade. Over 300 local governments and 70% of surveyed voters reportedly supported the measure.
Opposition from manufacturing groups and trade unions proved decisive, with critics arguing the regulations would stifle innovation and burden businesses during economic uncertainty. The stalemate reflects broader national challenges in plastic policy coordination, as California, Maine and other states implement varying EPR standards – creating a patchwork of compliance requirements.
Industry response has been mixed. While the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (Ameripen) has endorsed EPR principles, technology advocates are promoting advanced pyrolysis systems as alternative solutions. The ongoing debate underscores fundamental tensions between environmental priorities and industrial competitiveness in America’s circular economy transition.