Requires certain manufacturers to sell and distribute plastic beverage containers with tethered plastic beverage caps

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic7

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Sam Sutton says this is needed

Plastic bottle caps are among the largest group of littered items in the world. They rank in the top ten most found items on the beach and are in the top five most harmful ocean trash items to animals, including marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds. Oftentimes mistaken for food, these animals ingest the plastic caps and may experience choking, digestive blocks, and even death. The plastic also releases toxic chemicals when consumed that can damage animals' vital organs, reproductive health, and immune systems. Plastic bottle caps have become more than just a simple nuisance; they are a plague to our global ecosystem at large. This bill would require plastic beverage containers to have plastic caps tethered or attached, ensuring both components are ultimately disposed of together. This small change would reduce litter, increase recycling, and create a cleaner, safer environment for both people and wildlife. To allow for a smooth transition, manufacturers would be provided ample time to comply with this mandate, with larger manufacturers given four years and smaller manufacturers given seven years for implementation. Manufacturers have already made the switch to tethered caps in the Euro- pean Union, which mandated plastic bottle caps be tethered to plastic bottles in 2024. New York can lead this effort in the United States and take a meaningful step toward reducing plastic pollution and keeping our beaches, parks, streets, sidewalks, and communities clean.

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.