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AMERIPEN<\/a> co-led a high-impact advocacy \ufb02y-in to engage with legislators on the Affordable Waste Reduction Act <\/em>(S.5062<\/a>\/A.6191<\/a>), a packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bill introduced by New York State Senator Monica Martinez and Assemblymember Chantel Jackson. The fly-in took place May 6-7.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bill represents a demanding yet consistent and balanced approach to reducing packaging waste and improving recycling outcomes across New York State,\u201d AMERIPEN said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n The \ufb02y-in brought together representatives from more than 20 member companies and industry associations from across the packaging value chain, demonstrating strong and uni\ufb01ed industry support for EPR legislation grounded in national best practices.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIn contrast to the overly prescriptive and unfeasible proposal by Senator Peter Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick (S.1464<\/a>\/A.1749<\/a>), the Martinez-Jackson bill offers a data-driven, innovation-friendly framework modeled after legislation from Minnesota and Maryland,\u201d AMERIPEN said in a statement. \u201cThe legislation in Minnesota and Maryland garnered strong support and endorsements from across the environmental community and much of industry and re\ufb02ects forward thinking trends and provisions established by recent stakeholder conversations surrounding EPR.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Lynn Dyer<\/a>, Executive Director of AMERIPEN, said, \u201cThe Affordable Waste Reduction Act<\/em> is a practical, collaborative framework for EPR in New York. We were proud to advocate for an EPR model that builds on effective recycling policy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Consistent with Minnesota\u2019s 2024 packaging EPR law, the Martinez-Jackson bill supports a shared responsibility model that:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNew York has the opportunity to implement a model that re\ufb02ects what\u2019s widely accepted and supported across the country,\u201d Dyer added. \u201cThe Harckham-Glick bill, by contrast, imposes packaging bans, rigid mandates, jeopardizes recycling innovation, and would place excessive \ufb01nancial strain on both producers and consumers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n AMERIPEN continues to strongly oppose the Harckham-Glick proposal, citing its unrealistic timelines, lack of alignment with proven EPR principles, and failure to consider lessons learned from other states. Instead, the organization urges lawmakers to prioritize legislation that is effective, equitable, and enforceable.\u00a0<\/p>\n AMERIPEN will continue engaging with policymakers, regulators, and industry partners to promote smart packaging policy solutions that re\ufb02ect both environmental priorities and operational realities.\u00a0<\/p>\n For more information about AMERIPEN and its advocacy efforts, visit www.ameripen.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n