Targeted recycling policy would be more effective

The column, “There are better ways to reduce plastic packaging waste,” Feb. 22, makes clear that an extended producer responsibility policy in New York is more likely to create higher costs for consumers and administrative obstacles for companies than it would to reduce waste or boost recycling.

We support a targeted approach that considers recycling successes of individual industries instead of a one-sizefits-all approach. Broad extended producer responsibility policies are trying to shoehorn very different materials (paper, plastic, aluminum, glass, etc.) with very different recycling records into a single policy bucket with the misguided expectation that all will be improved as a result.

The American Forest & Paper Association is actively engaged with leaders in Albany as we do not want anything to disrupt New York’s achievements in paper recycling. In fact, the paper industry is an example to consider for policies aimed at improving recycling.

Thanks to billions of dollars in private investments, the paper industry recycles about 50 million tons of recovered paper every year — totaling more than 1 billion tons over the past two decades. Overall, paper recycling rates are already approaching what would be practically achievable. For instance, the cardboard recycling rate in 2020 was nearly 89 percent. And, in New York, nearly 89 percent of residents have access to curbside paper recycling.

Environmental policies that curb pollution and strengthen recycling infrastructure are crucial, and paper products are part of the solution. Rather than a blanket approach that ignores decades of proven success, New York lawmakers should look to paper recycling as a model.

Heidi Brock

Washington, D.C.

President and CEO, American

Forest & Paper Association