A04878 Summary:

SAME AS    No same as                                                          
                                                                               
SPONSOR    Stringer                                                            
                                                                               
COSPNSR                                                                        
                                                                               
MLTSPNSR   Dinowitz, Lavelle                                                   
                                                                               
Add Art 37 Title 4 SS37-0401 & 37-0403, En Con L                               
Prohibits use of polystyrene foam or styrofoam as packaging material; imposes  
fine of not more than $1,000 for each violation.                               

A04878 Actions:

02/20/2003 referred to environmental conservation                              
01/07/2004 referred to environmental conservation                              

A04878 Votes:

A04878 Memo:

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the environmental conservation law,          
in relation to the prohibition of packaging using polystyrene foam or          
styrofoam                                                                      
                                                                               
 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:  To eliminate polystyrene foam and           
styrofoam from the solid waste stream.                                         
 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:  This legislation would prohibit              
manufacturers from using polystyrene foam and styrofoam in packaging.          
Violation of this provision would result in a fine not to exceed one           
thousand dollars.                                                              
 JUSTIFICATION:   The existence of polystyrene foam and styrofoam              
constitute a substantial amount of waste in the overall solid waste            
stream. A 1987 coastal clean up program in the State of Oregon                 
resulted in 23.6 tons of litter collected, with 60% of it consisting           
of styrofoam food containers.  With New York State in the midst of a           
solid waste disposal crisis, efforts must be made to reduce                    
non-biodegradable waste.  These materials are composed of                      
petrochemicals, which emit toxic gases when burned, which poses a              
severe health hazard.  Suffolk County has passed a local ordinance             
prohibiting use of these materials. Other counties in the State are            
considering similar proposals.                                                 
 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  None.                                                   
 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:                                                    
1993-1994 - A.4653 - Referred to Environmental Conservation                    
1995-96 - A.2940 - Referred to Environmental Conservation                      
1997-98 - A.1445 - Referred to Environmental Conservation                      
1999-00 - A.1746 - Referred to Environmental Conservation                      
2001-02 - A.1970 - Referred to Environmental Conservation                      
 EFFECTIVE DATE:  One hundred twenty days after it shall have become           
law.