Engelbright’s forthcoming EPR bill the better choice

Of course, the plastic industries would like to be in charge of any “extended producer responsibility” plan to regulate the way they produce and dispose of plastic packaging (“Questions over policy on plastics still remain,” April 4). What fox wouldn’t cheerfully volunteer to regulate the henhouse?

The news that ExxonMobil is spending thousands lobbying for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to delegate the design of an EPR plan to the industries that package products in plastic makes me wonder whose interests would be protected — my guess is, not the planet’s.

The Climate Action Council’s recently released draft scoping plan recommends EPR as one way to take on the problem of landfills, which are currently releasing 15 percent of the nation’s methane. We need to make sure, however, that EPR provisions are stringent and are supported by sufficient levels of funding to ensure vigorous enforcement.

For that, we need clear legislation such as Assemblyman Steve Engelbright’s forthcoming EPR bill and the Bigger, Better Bottle bill under consideration.

All can agree we need a circular economy, an economy in which as much waste as possible is recycled for reuse.

The question is whether the private sector has done a good job creating a circular economy thus far. Our overflowing landfills and roadsides suggest they have not.

Sara Rebecca Storch

Fresh Meadows