ALBANY, NY (NEXSTAR) — On Wednesday, the environmental advocacy group Beyond Plastics released an analysis of a proposed state law aimed at reducing packaging waste. According to the report, enacting the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act would save New Yorkers $1.3 billion over the next decade.
The report, which can be read at the bottom of this story, estimates the potential savings from lower collection and disposal costs if the PRRIA is implemented. S1464 / A1749 reduces packaging waste while increasing recycling, requiring producers to use less plastic, more recycled materials, and ban toxic chemicals in order to offset rising costs, outdated incinerators, and overflowing landfills.
The analysis shows that PRRIA, which was introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Democratic State Senator Pete Harckham, would shift waste management costs from local governments and taxpayers to companies that sell packaged products. The goal is to reduce packaging waste by 30% while increasing recycling rates.
According to the report, New York State will generate nearly 3.8 million tons of packaging waste in 2025, which is equivalent to the weight of ten Empire State Buildings. It estimated an annual “avoided cost” savings from sending less trash to landfills and incineration facilities. Overall, New York would save $109 million in 2030; $287 million in 2036; $445 million in 2040; and $830 million in 2052.
The report estimates that 1.5 million tons of PRRIA-covered packaging will be produced in New York City alone, with approximately 1.2 million tons ending up in landfills or incinerators. According to the report, the new statutes would save New York City $818 million over the next decade, while local governments across the state would save an estimated $568 million.
The following information is from the analysis titled “Projected Economic Benefits of the New York Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act”:
| Counties | 10-year savings in millions |
|---|---|
| Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx | $818 |
| Nassau and Suffolk | $142 |
| Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester | $103 |
| Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, and Wyoming | $50 |
| Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins | $46 |
| Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates | $46 |
| Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Schoharie | $33 |
| Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington | $17 |
| Lewis, Oneida, and St. Lawrence | $10 |
If the PRRIA passes through the legislature and is signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, the report claims that recycling rates will improve significantly. Currently, only 18% of packaging waste is recycled. However, new targets in the bill would raise the rate to 28% by 2035 and 44% by 2040. Recyclers will process an additional half a million tons of material by 2040, while traditional disposal sites will handle 2 million tons less trash.
The PRRIA was passed by the State Senate in 2024 but did not advance to the Assembly. Senator Harckham carried the bill last year before reintroducing it in January.
“This report quantifies real dollar savings for taxpayers. “Taxpayers have been footing the bill for too long,” Harckham stated on Wednesday.
“What extended producer responsibility laws do—and they’re nothing new to New York; we have extended producer responsibility for paint, for electronics, for carpet, and now this is an extended producer responsibility bill for packaging—rather than putting the cost for single-use plastic and disposable packaging on the [backs] of taxpayers and consumers, it now puts the cost back on [companies] and the reduction of that waste: $1.3 billion.”
The bill would require producers to join certified nonprofit organizations that run recycling programs, share specific plans for reducing packaging waste, and report on recycling rates and expenses on an annual basis. It would require each producer to reduce the weight of their packaging by 10% in three years, 15% in five years, 20% in eight years, 25% in ten years, and 30% in 12.
Companies would be required to use more recycled materials when producing glass products, paper carryout bags, and plastic trash bags. The law would also prohibit packaging containing phthalates, bisphenols, PFAS, heavy metals, benzophenone, flame retardants, perchlorate, formaldehyde, toluene, antimony, UV 328, PVC, polystyrene, and polycarbonate.
The PRRIA would also form a task force to review packaging for toxic content and recommend additional bans as needed. It also allows state officials to fine violators up to $10,000 per offense. The report excludes potential revenue from fines and fees that businesses would have to pay.
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