In the next week, New York legislators face immense pressure to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, or PRRIA. The legislation, New York's Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, aims to shift recycling costs from consumers to manufacturers. The law, if passed, would impact almost every industry and consumer product on our store shelves and delivered to our homes. Unlike legislation in other states, such as Oregon, New York’s proposal would limit recycling technologies to just one — mechanical. It would eliminate advanced recycling, thereby increasing demand for recycled content while eliminating the supply of many recycled plastics currently used, which will raise prices.

The goal of the bill is to drastically reduce plastic packaging, forcing companies to absorb higher costs, but let’s be realistic. If it costs your favorite food brand more to purchase packaging, that cost ultimately shows up at the register. Higher costs are driven by switching to more expensive materials, redesigning packaging and introducing new production lines. If companies do not meet these standards, they will be fined. While we all agree that plastic waste should be reduced, this proposal falls short. Plastics are affordable, durable and help protect consumer safety by preventing leakage, while being lightweight and having........

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