CUT THE CHEESE WRAPS?

NY bid to ban ’em

It may be a case of lactose intolerance.

Individually wrapped cheese would be largely banned under a far-reaching bill pushed by New York environmentalists and politicians to reduce the use of plastics, The Post has learned.

The state bill — called the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act — would require companies with net incomes of more than $1 million who sell or distribute food products to reduce plastics and other packaging that ends in landfills or waterways by 50% over the next 12 years.

It would also impose a fee on companies that use plastic packages, with money going toward recycling programs and infrastructure.

“This legislation shifts the onus of recycling from municipalities and ensures that producers of products are serving our interests by establishing solutions to sustainable packaging,” Sen. Peter Harckham (D-Peekskill) said in a memo promoting the bill.

The typical New Yorker creates nearly 5 pounds of trash every day, which means the state produces approximately 15 million tons of waste each year, according to Harckham, who introduced the measure along with Assemblywoman Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan).

“This waste primarily goes to landfills and incinerators, but can often end up in our water, natural habitats, and municipal spaces,” the memo said.

Four states have implemented similar programs — Maine, Oregon, Colorado and California.

‘Crisis’ of slices

One leading environmentalist backing the bill confirmed that the goal is to eliminate single slices of cheese packaged in non-reusable plastic, as well as other wasteful packaging.

“We have to do something about the plastic crisis,” said Judith Enck, president of the group Beyond Plastics.

Enck, who previously served as the federal regional administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency under thenPresident Barack Obama, said mico-plastic wrapping for cheese slices could be replaced with alternatives. “There was a time in America when we didn’t put a piece of plastic between every slice of cheese.

“They can substitute plastic with paper,” she said.

She noted it costs New York City $420 million a year to transport and dispose of its trash to landfills and incinerators — and manufacturers should be doing their part.

“These companies have to take responsibility for producing the waste. They’re getting a free ride right now,” Enck said.