ALBANY, NY — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the inclusion of a ban on single-use plastic bags and an expansion of the state’s Bottle Bill to make most non-alcoholic drink containers eligible for the state’s 5-cent redemption. The Sunday announcement came in a press release and will be included in Gov. Cuomo’s executive budget proposal.

In a joint statement regarding the announcement, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Riverkeeper said: “This is the beginning of the end for the scourge of plastic bag pollution in New York. However, experience shows that a fee on paper bags must accompany the proposed ban on plastic bags, to avoid a serious increase in paper waste and pollution.”

“As for bottle bill reform, the Governor’s proposal is well intended and deserves serious consideration. We understand the benefits, but want to be sure this approach will not harm municipal recycling programs around the state.”

Contact:

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

aesposito@citizenscampaign.org; 631-384-1378?

Maria Michalos, Eastern Regional Communications Manager, Natural Resources Defense Council

mmichalos@nrdc.org , 917-890-3344

Cliff Weathers, Communications Director, Riverkeeper

cweathers@riverkeeper.org; 845-445-8257

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