Directs the department of environmental conservation to establish a composting symbol

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why José M. Serrano says this is needed

This legislation would establish an all-encompassing symbol for compost- able packaging and materials so New Yorkers can identify quickly and easily when to compost their waste, or when to divert it toward conven- tional waste collection. According to the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, New Yorkers produce nearly four million tons of waste at home and anoth- er four million tons in workplaces annually. A significant portion of compostable waste is sent to landfills, where it releases methane, a greenhouse gas - which contributes to climate change but also costs municipalities money. By diverting compostable waste to composting programs, taxpayers save money on landfill fees while also reducing gas emission, which mitigates our contribution to climate change. As major cities move towards reducing this waste by implementing manda- tory composting, (mandatory NYC city-wide composting will begin in April 2025) informing consumers of which nonfood items are compostable or not will not only provide opportunities for better informed consumer choic- es, but a way for New Yorkers to avoid penalties from unintentionally sorting their waste incorrectly. Additionally, some businesses have already begun identifying compostable products, this bill will also create a standardized symbology LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:- 2024 - S9585: Referred to Environmental Conservation FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:- None to the state. EFFECTIVE DATE:' This act shall take effect immediately.

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.