Expanding recycling law hurts food retailers
While New York’s retail food industry appreciates the laudable intent to increase consumer recycling of bottles, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to expand current law to include juice, tea, energy and sports drinks — among others — will have a significant impact on consumers and retailers.
Thirty years ago, then-Gov. Mario Cuomo signed the Solid Waste Management Act of 1988, boosting New York’s efforts to lead the nation in recycling by requiring the separation and segregation of recyclable or reusable materials from solid waste. This new law required municipalities to adopt local laws, thus implementing curbside collection recycling programs. It should be noted that curbside recycling is not only beneficial for our environment, but a commodity that boosts local government.