Hochul signs legislation to reduce and manage waste

Legislation S.6334/A.5605 relates to local solid waste management plans; legislation S.6815/A.7564 encourages elimination of use of certain single-use plastic items at SUNY & CUNY campuses

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday signed legislation requiring that local solid waste management plans make efforts to increase waste diversion, including by recycling and composting, and encouraging the elimination of the use of certain single-use plastic items at State University of New York and City University of New York campuses.

"With the fate of the planet at stake, New York must continue to lead the way in the global fight against the climate crisis," Hochul said. "This package of legislation will make sure New Yorkers are recycling, composting and phasing out wasteful plastic products, putting our state on the path to a cleaner, greener future."

Legislation S.6334/A.5605 requires local waste management plans to include methods to increase waste diversion. Hochul’s team said, “As we look to combat climate change, recycling and composting will become invaluable tools that will allow New York State to keep waste out of landfills.”

New York State Sen. Rachel May said, "Far too much waste that could be recycled or composted ends up in landfills. New York has made significant progress in reducing the amount of waste we generate, but we can still do more. This legislation asks municipalities to be sure they consider how to increase recycling and composting as they manage solid waste. Here in Onondaga County, we constructed a state-of-the-art food scrap and yard waste composting facility, and it has been a great success. I thank Gov. Hochul for signing this bill, and look forward to seeing municipalities make advancements in keeping waste out of landfills."

Assembly member Harvey Epstein said, "Diverting compostables and recyclables out of our waste stream is a key part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With our legislation, we're asking localities around the state to prepare a plan for how to accomplish this. Lowering these harmful gases is vital to ensure we meet the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. I'm proud to work with Sen. May and Gov. Hochul to fight against climate change from the local level on up."

Legislation S.6815/A.7564 works toward eliminating single-use plastics on SUNY and CUNY campuses by requiring school trustees to collaborate with students, faculty and staff. This will lessen plastic waste from negatively impacting the environment.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said, "We must be better stewards of our environment, and our SUNY students and staff are deeply committed to environmental sustainability, including building on our successful waste reduction and recycling efforts on our campuses. This new law provides yet another opportunity for our SUNY campuses to lead by working together to make the elimination of plastic waste a reality. We thank the governor and legislative members who helped make this new policy a reality."

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, "CUNY has an obligation to enforce policies and practices that will reduce unnecessary waste and make the world a cleaner, healthier place to live. This legislation, which aims to eliminate single-use plastics on our campuses, is going to have a measurable impact. Thanks to Gov. Hochul for addressing this issue and for putting her faith in CUNY to work with students, faculty and staff to effect positive change for the environment. CUNY is more than ready to step up and do what's needed to ensure a healthier future for New Yorkers."