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Council Passes Bill Requiring Stores To Create Recycling Program

January 11, 2008

The City Council passed a bill almost unanimously Wednesday that would require any store with more than 5,000 square feet to come up with an in-store recycling program for plastic bags.

“What this means is, if stores offer plastic bags to its customers, they have to set up bins where their customers can bring the bags back, drop them off, so they can be recycled,” explained City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

The legislation, which has the support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, also requires stores to offer cloth bags for sale. Americans use an estimated 84-billion plastic bags a year; one billion right here in the city.

“Some were concerned about the cost of doing this. Well the speaker and I were more concerned about the cost of not doing this: the cost to our environment, the cost to animals, whales, turtles you name it that choke on plastic bags, the cost to our landfills,” said Councilman Peter Valllone Jr.

Supporters say the cost of the program is minimal, and that stores actually may be able to make money off the endeavor.

“This secondary market and the demand for plastic is so great that this law creates a tremendous opportunity for retailers,” said Dave Vermillion of Progressive Bag Affiliates. “These stores can start reselling this plastic and making money and adding a new revenue stream to their stores.”

At first, 2,000 stores will be required to participate in the program. Those behind the bill say even if 20 to 30 percent of customers recycled it could make a huge difference.

There is a penalty for stores that don’t comply. They could be fined $300 a day.

Bronx Councilman G. Oliver Koppell did raise a concern from the consumer’s point of view though.

“I fear that absent some sort of deposit or financial incentive it’s going to not do as much good as it should be doing,” said Koppell.

However, the council speaker says she believes New Yorkers will embrace the program just based on its benefits to the city they live in.

The bill now awaits the mayor’s signature.

Via NY1

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Written by NY Politics · Filed Under Environment 

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