Bill > A06191

This bill enacts the Affordable Waste Reduction Act, a comprehensive legislation aimed at establishing a producer responsibility program for packaging and paper products in New York State. The bill creates a framework where producers of packaging and paper products are responsible for managing the waste generated by their products through a structured system of registration, stewardship plans, and financial contributions. Key provisions include establishing a producer responsibility advisory board, requiring producers to join a registered producer responsibility organization, developing lists of recyclable and compostable materials, and implementing a system for collecting, recycling, and composting covered materials. The bill mandates that producers pay fees based on the amount and type of materials they introduce into the market, with these fees funding collection, processing, and waste reduction efforts. The legislation also emphasizes reducing toxic substances in materials, increasing recycling and composting rates, and promoting waste reduction through design incentives. The program will be overseen by the Department of Environmental Conservation, with the first implementation steps beginning several years after the bill's enactment, allowing time for producers, service providers, and government agencies to prepare for the new requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6191