New York packaging bill stalls amid heavy lobbying pushback

USA – The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, a key proposal for tackling packaging waste in New York, encountered significant resistance during the recent legislative session in Albany.

 A new analysis revealed that 107 companies and organizations lobbied against the measure, outnumbering the 23 supporters by a ratio of four to one. 

This opposition played a central role in preventing the bill from reaching a final vote in the state Assembly, even after it cleared the Senate earlier in the spring.

In a statement released on October 7, Beyond Plastics detailed how major industry players, including Amazon, Kraft Heinz, and Coca-Cola, joined forces with the Business Council of New York State to challenge the legislation. 

These groups contended that the bill’s requirements would drive up operational expenses and limit options for consumers. 

The act targeted companies with annual revenues exceeding US$5 million, mandating a 30% reduction in packaging volume placed on the market over the next 12 years. 

It also sought to ban specific chemicals in packaging materials, those identified as concerns by public health experts, and to introduce fees scaled according to a material’s recyclability and potential toxicity.

Proponents emphasized the financial benefits for municipalities. 

According to modeling referenced by environmental advocates, the measure could generate statewide savings of around US$1.3 billion over a decade by easing the burden on local recycling systems and cutting down on landfill and incineration needs. 

The fees collected would fund upgrades to infrastructure, shifting responsibility, and costs from taxpayers to producers under an extended producer responsibility framework.

Lobbying expenditures highlighted the intensity of the debate. 

Filings showed that opponents poured approximately US$9.8 million into their efforts across various issues during the session, while supporters allocated about US$1.5 million. 

New York’s lack of detailed, bill-specific disclosure rules made it challenging to pinpoint exact spending on this proposal alone.

Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics, addressed the setback directly. “This bill represents a vital step toward reducing plastic pollution in our communities,” she said.

 “We remain committed to pushing it forward.” Industry representatives, meanwhile, indicated ongoing concerns. 

A spokesperson for the American Beverage Association noted that such mandates could lead to higher prices for everyday goods without clear evidence of environmental gains.

The measure now carries over to the 2026 session, where backers plan to highlight its potential for taxpayer relief and health protections.

Local governments and recycling coordinators have voiced support, pointing to strained budgets as a pressing issue. 

In a related development, California’s recent expansion of its own EPR program for packaging, finalized in late September, requires producers to cover 100% of recycling costs starting in 2027, offering a potential blueprint for New York. 

That initiative, projected to save households up to US$200 annually per family, has already drawn interest from East Coast states facing similar waste challenges.

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