A new report championing New York’s proposed packaging reduction law drew sharp criticism Thursday from one of the state’s leading business groups, which called the findings unrealistic and out of touch with economic realities.
Ken Pokalsky, Vice President of Government Affairs for The Business Council of New York State, dismissed the report issued by Beyond Plastics as “more wishful thinking than thoughtful analysis.” The report supported the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.1464/A.1749), claiming it would generate statewide savings by cutting disposal costs. Pokalsky rejected that premise, saying the mandates in the legislation are “unachievable.”
The Business Council said the report fails to address the cost burden that businesses would face under the bill’s stringent packaging bans and redesign requirements. “We strongly question their savings projections,” Pokalsky said.
California was cited as a cautionary example. Governor Gavin Newsom recently ordered a reset of his state’s less aggressive extended producer responsibility (EPR) law due to concerns over excessive costs to businesses and consumers. Pokalsky warned that New York’s proposal goes further than any other state-level EPR law in the country.
The Council reaffirmed its support for EPR legislation in principle but advocated for a more balanced approach. A newly introduced bill in New York, S.5062/A.6191, modeled after Minnesota’s 2025 EPR law, was highlighted as a viable alternative. Pokalsky described it as “material and technology-neutral” and better suited to improve recycling without harming consumers or businesses.
“There is broad business support for workable expanded producer responsibility legislation,” Pokalsky said, pointing to similar laws passed in Minnesota and Maryland that earned support from both industry and environmental groups.
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