Allows certain reusable beverage containers in sports venues

• Democratic12
• Republican1

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Kevin S. Parker says this is needed

Reducing the use of single use plastic bottles will benefit our environ- ment and our health. A July 2023 article in cleanwater.org{i} describes some of the negative impacts on our health caused by single use plastic bottles. It sites a study{ii} conducted by the chemistry department of the State University of New York at Fredonia which shows that 93% of the plastic bottled water tested contained harmful chemicals and microplastics. Only 17 out of 259 samples contained no microplastics while one bottle of Nestle Pure life had concentrations as high as 10,000 plastic pieces per liter. The National Institute of Health{iii} has linked the presence of BPA (Biphenyl A) to diabetes, obesity, fertility problems, behavior problems and early puberty in girls due to being an estrogen mimicking chemical. Billions of single-use plastic bottles are produced every year and only a small percentage of them are recycled. The United States alone uses nearly 50 million plastic water bottles each year. Most of these end up in waterways and landfills and are a major contributor to stormwater pollution and negative environmental effects. Plastic bottles are one of the top littered items in the oceans and waterways. It is estimated that only 23% of the plastic water bottles purchased in the US are recycled. Encouraging the use of reusable water bottles will help improve our environment by cutting down on waste and litter and it will help improve our health by reducing exposure to chemicals with detrimental impacts on our health. Additionally, using reusable water bottles encourages us to drink more water and it saves us money - its estimated that a $20 reus- able water bottle saves each person $6,180 in five years. New York City has enacted a law{iv} requiring sports venues to allow attendees to enter the venue with a reusable beverage container. New York State should enact this bill into law to ensure this practical approach with proven environmental and health benefits is encouraged throughout the state of New York.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.