Bill > S01730

This bill regulates the sale of plastic trash bags in New York State by requiring manufacturers to produce bags that contain at least 30% post-consumer recycled materials, which are defined as materials previously used by consumers and businesses that have been diverted from the waste stream for recycling. The legislation establishes definitions for key terms like "plastic trash bag" (which includes garbage bags, composting bags, yard bags, can-liners, and recycling bags) and sets specific requirements for manufacturers and retailers. Under the bill, every package of plastic trash bags must be labeled with its post-consumer material content by weight, and penalties are established for non-compliance: retailers will receive a warning for their first violation and then face $500 fines for subsequent violations, while manufacturers will be subject to $500 fines for each violation. Retailers are protected from penalties if they have relied in good faith on manufacturers' labels. The Department of Environmental Conservation is authorized to create rules and regulations to implement these provisions, and potentially increase the required percentage of post-consumer material in the future. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2028, giving manufacturers and retailers ample time to adapt to the new requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1730