EPR invigorates recycling system
Joe McGuire’s commentary, “There are better ways to reduce plastic packaging waste,” Feb. 22, unfortunately plays into myths about extended producer responsibility for packaging waste, making an argument that stands in the way of muchneeded progress toward a more sustainable future for New York.
The truth is that “extended producer responsibility,” or EPR, invigorates recycling rates for residential materials. Existing EPR programs around the world, particularly in Europe and Canada, have achieved recycling rates more than 70 percent, as reported by the Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance. There is no evidence that packaging EPR will increase consumer prices. Consumer prices have not changed where such programs exist. Taxpayers are already paying for recycling systems while the producers that put packaging onto the market have no incentives to reduce packaging waste, make packaging easier to recycle, or boost market demand.
In addition to boosting recycling rates, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal for the EPR Act will modernize the state’s recycling system, save municipalities and taxpayers millions of dollars each year, create green sector jobs, and address climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
The governor’s proposal is supported by a broad coalition of municipalities, environmental organizations and recyclers. For a state that currently loses an estimated 860,000 tons of potentially recyclable materials to trash each year and has a statewide recycling rate under 20 percent, EPR for packaging is a commonsense solution to a growing crisis.
Scott Cassel
Boston Founder and CEO, Product
Stewardship Institute