Food industry can help bag the plastic problem

As Gov. Andrew Cuomo observed in announcing a proposed statewide ban on single-use plastic carry out bags New York’s neighborhoods, roads and waterways are awash in plastic trash. His proposal follows action by many towns, states and even entire countries to prohibit or regulate the use of these environmentally harmful products and promote the use of more sustainable alternatives such as reusable bags.

Here in the Empire State, an increasing number of localities are passing bans or hybrid ban/fee measures in which most single-use plastic bags are banned and a small fee is applied to paper or other non-plastic bags. Many leading environmental organizations back a state-wide ban/fee rule based on best practices gleaned from all of these other jurisdictions. Sen. Todd Kaminsky, D-long Beach, and Assemblyman Steven Englebright have introduced such a bill that carves out some exceptions for low-income individuals and directs the funds raised from the fee to be split between retailers and the state for environmental purposes.

It’s disappointing that the Food Industry Alliance of New York State opposes this common-sense legislation. Understandably, grocers and other industry members are wary of regulations that affect them, but we expect our local supermarkets and other community businesses where we shop to be good neighbors and responsible stewards of the environment we all share. The reality is that the majority of plastic bag litter we encounter was sent out through the doors of FIANY member stores. They therefore have a responsibility to fix the problem that they are so significantly contributing to, not block reasonable efforts at reform.

As a parent of two kids and a Capital Region resident sick of seeing so many plastic bags stuck in trees and blowing in the wind, I support a statewide ban/fee bill. Many other parents agree,

and many of us brought our kids to meet with lawmakers for the second straight year at a Family Lobby Day on this issue last week.

Legislators have consistently expressed a willingness to listen to all stakeholders, including the food industry, and make reasoned changes to proposed legislation, including amending the amount of any fee and how the resulting funds are split between the state and retailers. The food industry can be a part of a win-win solution in which they are spared the cost of providing “free” plastic bags (which of course are not free to them) and are reasonably compensated for the cost of providing paper bags or other alternatives while encouraging consumers to bring reusable bags. That was the message we and our children sought to communicate to our Senate and Assembly members.

We hope the food industry will join us in sincerely embracing this commonsense result.