The Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee approved as a resolution the below memorandum of support for The New York Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA). As part of our mission we are concerned about the quality of our natural environment, and we believe the enactment of this bill could significantly reduce the amount of plastic and other types of waste now adversely impacting the environment.
An officer of our committee met with our local Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner of the 113th District and we understand she has not yet decided whether to support the bill. We hope that our message will be helpful, and we also have included a proposed amendment to exempt agricultural business that might be impacted negatively.
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Memorandum of Support – The New York Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act
Consistent with its concerns about the quality of our community’s natural environment Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee supports passage of a piece of legislation now pending before the State Legislature; The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA)(S1464/A1749). If enacted, this bill would significantly reduce the amount of plastic and other types of waste now adversely impacting the environment.
The primary purpose of PRRIA is to reduce the amount of plastic used for packaging purposes. It would require that companies distributing packaging materials and products in New York State to reduce the amount of plastic used in their packaging by 30% over the next 12 years and would require that 75% of the remaining packaging be reused or recycled by 2052.
The amount of plastic being produced annually is increasing every year. It is projected that this amount will continue to increase. Plastic is not biodegradable and hence remains in the environment until and unless it is recycled for use in other products or burned. Currently, only less than 10 percent of the plastic generated in the U.S. gets recycled.
A very high percentage of plastic simply gets landfilled. This is a problem for several reasons; 1) it is costly to municipalities and to residents who have to pay for the disposal, and 2) landfill space is not unlimited.
Plastic also poses multiple health hazards for humans. It degrades to microplastic which has been found to be present in our food, our water, our air and in human bodies. A recent study found that microplastics have penetrated our brains with an apparent correlation between the amounts of microplastic in one’s brain and dementia.
The use of plastic for packaging purposes by the corporate sector is pervasive. At present there is little or no incentive for these companies to reduce the amount of plastic used for this purpose. Chemical companies that produce plastic make more money the more plastic that used by beverage makers and others. PRRIA would put the burden for reducing the amount of plastic used for packaging purposes on the companies that produce the plastic.
The plastics and chemical industry have mobilized against PRRIA. They are promoting “chemical recycling” as an alternative. With chemical recycling, plastic containers would be burned and despite the use of the term, would not actually be recycled.
The New York Farm Bureau is opposed to the current version of PRRIA based on concerns that the legislation would have an adverse impact on farms and agribusinesses. These businesses commonly rely on packaging that contains plastic to ensure that food products remain fresh and bacteria free. In light of the importance of the agricultural sector to the local economy, the Committee would support an amendment that excludes the agricultural sector from provisions of the proposed law.
The Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee
May 2025