Reactions: Plastics recycling

Letter to the editor Lobbying prevents progress on plastics recycling I appreciated the article “Plastics Recycling Is in Trouble” for highlighting the lackluster progress of producers to reach their recycled plastic content goals. Something the article did not mention was how these companies set goals to reduce virgin plastic, then actively lobby against policies that promote plastic reduction and encourage recyclability.In New York, two bills continue to stall in the assembly because of heavy industry lobbying. Bill S1464/A1749 would require plastic packaging to be reduced by 30% and require a 75% recycling rate of the remaining packaging. It would introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR), a strategy mentioned in the article. An EPR program was introduced in British Columbia 10 years ago and has since provided over $1 billion in recycling support. Bill S5684/A6543 would increase the deposit of the bottle take-back program from 5 cents to 10 cents, increase the funding of bottle collection sites, and expand the type of bottles accepted.This is the type of support recyclers need to provide recycled plastic to producers to meet their goals. Yet these companies with their commitments to sustainability are pouring money into the top lobbyist firms to sway lawmakers against the bills. This behavior makes it unsurprising that producers are not meeting their recycling targets. It is frustrating and disappointing. I hope New Yorkers will read this and contact their senator and assemblyperson to voice support for these bills. As for others? Check your local government. State legislature is crucial at this