Bill > A07103

This bill amends the environmental conservation law to modify the handling fee paid to dealers or operators of redemption centers for recycling empty beverage containers. Currently, the law specifies a handling fee, and this bill updates the fee structure to ensure it keeps pace with minimum wage increases. Specifically, the bill establishes that the handling fee will be at least five cents per container, and starting December 31, 2025, the fee will be automatically adjusted when federal or New York state minimum wage changes occur. The adjustment will increase the handling fee by the same percentage as the minimum wage increase, rounded to the nearest 0.5 cents. If there are different minimum wage rates across New York state, the calculation will be based on the wage rate for New York City employers with eleven or more employees. The purpose of this handling fee is to compensate dealers and redemption center operators for the costs of collecting, sorting, and packaging empty beverage containers for return to distributors. The bill ensures that these fees cannot be conditioned on purchasing goods or services and cannot be paid from the refund value account.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7103