New York City Council Members Marjorie Velázquez, Keith Powers, Erik Bottcher and Sandy Nurse and Manhattan Borough President, Mark Levine introduced Intro No. 1003 to require corporate-owned fast casual food establishments in NYC offer consumers the option to request reusable food packaging and participate in a system for return of the food packaging. The legislation would also mandate certain establishments provide reusable eating utensils and containers for dine-in customers unless otherwise requested by the customer.
Single-use plastics are littering streets, clogging water supply, entering human blood streams, piling up in landfills and crucially, contributing to climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions. In the U.S. 561 billion disposable food service items are used every year, resulting in 4.9 million tons of waste. In recent years, packaging marketed as biodegradable or compostable has been positioned as a solution, but in reality those single-use solutions contribute to climate-warming emissions and waste. And while NYC is taking steps to increase access to citywide residential composting, organics processing centers in cities across the country will no longer even accept packaging marked as “compostable” because it contaminates the compost and cannot truly be degraded into organic material.
Accessible reusable solutions are the answer to the problems created by single-use packaging. Over their life-cycle, reusables have lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to disposable alternatives. Reusable packaging produces up to 85% less carbon than single-use foodware, helping NYC reach its climate emissions targets and goal of zeroing out residential waste by 2030. Learn more at: https://www.choose2reuse.nyc/
“The need for reusable food containers is long overdue, and it’s time we incorporate bolder, greener practices in our communities. By transitioning to reusable containers when appropriate, we are not only reducing the number of plastics in our landfills but also, developing systems where this packaging can be returned and used again and again,” said Council Member Marjorie Velázquez, Chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. “Some may argue that disposables are convenient, but reusables can be just as easy if we develop the infrastructure to accommodate the reuse economy in consumers’ daily lives. This Council is committed to elevating the consumer experience and making NYC a greener city to live in. This is our chance to be leaders in not only environmental protection but consumer support.”
“This bill is a significant step toward a more sustainable and responsible food service industry. A less polluted, more resilient New York depends on innovating in every industry so that we’re relying on fewer single-use products," said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “If eating with reusable materials is the norm in our homes and sit-down restaurants, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be in corporate-owned fast casual restaurants.”
“I am proud to be a sponsor of Intro. No. 1003, which will make New York City a more sustainable, healthy place to call home,” said Majority Leader Keith Powers. “Single-use plastics are polluting everything from our water to our blood, and we must take action to reduce their use. This bill will do just that by creating a new system for the widespread usage of reusable food packaging.”
"This bill marks a significant step forward in our fight against single-use plastic waste. Council Member Velázquez’s legislation ensures that New York City's food service establishments empower customers to opt for reusable containers to actively combat the dependency on single use plastics,” said Council Member Erik Bottcher. “As one of the most vibrant cities in the world, we must continuously strive to adopt more environmentally-friendly practices, responsibly reducing our plastic consumption and safeguarding the planet for future generations to come."
“New York City must lead the way on Zero Waste. We’ve banned styrofoam and plastic bags, demanded a modern bottle bill and advanced citywide organics. But we need to go further to end the single-use plastic and reduce the paper waste that litter our streets and burden our city systems. I am happy to support this legislation that holds corporations accountable for their waste and gives New Yorkers more opportunities to reuse,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse, Chair of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management.
“It’s time to do everything we can to make it easy for people to reduce the single-use packaging in their lives,” said Alysia Reiner, SAG Award-winning actress and Zero Waste Eco Emissary of Izzy Beauty. “I am so excited by this legislation, which will increase access and affordability to reusable alternatives that are truly sustainable so more people can participate in the reuse economy.”
"New Yorkers need an easy and reliable reusable option for their takeaway containers to help stop plastic pollution," said Ronny Chieng, comedian and actor on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. “Who would be against this? Microplastics are already in our food supply."
“Today the NYC Council put the corporate chains that produce the volume of single-use packaging waste on notice,” said Lauren Sweeney, Co-Founder & CEO of DeliverZero. “New Yorkers are tired of seeing our streets littered with single-use packaging from major brands that we use for 30 minutes and become trash for life. I applaud the NYC Council for taking this bold step –in line with other world leaders, such as Germany– to increase access to reusable food packaging. This will be a game changer for allowing New Yorkers to participate in climate solutions in their daily lives. New Yorkers deserve the right to choose.”
"Making sustainable choices is no longer a luxury but a necessity, and consumers are eager to do their part but without law enforcement it's difficult,” said Marina Testino Founder of Sustainable Fridays, Point Off View and climate activist. “We need to shift away from the convenience culture that has driven an increase in waste and make reusable packaging a norm. This legislation has the potential to not only significantly reduce single-use waste, but also inspire similar initiatives across the country and educate consumers.
The Solid Waste Advisory Boards of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx support legislation that prioritizes reduction and reuse - two crucial yet often overlooked tools for combating the climate crisis. “Intro No. 1003 paves the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future by tackling the pervasive issues of street litter and overflowing trash bins in our city, while simultaneously addressing the significant environmental damage caused by single-use plastic containers and packaging.”
“As an investor in businesses addressing climate change, Founder of the Package Free, and an environmental activist,” said Lauren Singer, Founder of Package Free Shop, zero waste advocate and influencer. “I am so thrilled that NYC is leading the way with this significant legislation to expand opportunities for consumers to participate in the reuse economy in their daily lives. I know first-hand that when given the option, many consumers will happily take advantage of reducing their overall waste and CO2e footprint and that many businesses will also experience the benefits of reusable packaging.”
"As a park that prioritizes waste reduction and sustainability, Madison Square Park Conservancy applauds the NYC Council for this groundbreaking legislation mandating reusable food packaging," said Holly Leicht, Executive Director of the Madison Square Park Conservancy. "We are proudly partnering with DeliverZero and Re:Dish, as well as neighborhood restaurants, to reduce our community's waste. If every park visitor used reusable containers at lunchtime, it would make a significant dent in the 1,000 pounds of trash collected in our park every day."
“Our throw away culture is literally trashing the planet. We need to retrain ourselves to go back to a reusable way of life. The Choose to Reuse bill is one step towards a sustainable future,” said Jan Thompson, 350 Brooklyn, Plastic Free Team
Nick Johnson, owner of Raíz Modern Mexican: “At raíz we take sustainability seriously and so do our customers. That’s why we offer a plant-based menu and do everything we can to give our customers a waste-free experience. We are excited that NYC is thinking about how to generate more sustainable practices and giving customers the options we know they crave.”
Zachary Zoltan Sharaga, CEO & Founder of Dear Mama Coffee: “Legislation will be needed to make significant improvements in our culture surrounding single-use garbage. I applaud the New York City Council for taking this step.”
Idan Shitrit, owner of Hummus Market: “Our motto at Hummus Kitchen is to bring love and respect to our traditions and earth. We love that NYC is moving to reduce single-use packaging waste and we know our customers will also appreciate these efforts.”
Alexander Morgan, Founder of EcoRate, said: "Returning to reusables for food and drink containers is the most effective, easy, and common sense way we can make meaningful progress on waste prevention. This bill is a big win for customer choice, since their preference for reusables becomes the default, all while preserving the option to request single-use containers. This bill will also go a long way to prevent tons of litter, since discarded food and drink containers make up about 70% of litter. EcoRate is thrilled to see this happening right here in NYC!"
“Reuse is the only long-term solution to get us out of the problems caused by single-use packaging. As a restaurateur and climate activist, I’m excited by how NYC is leading the way in this smart approach to help consumers make choices that suit their preferences for reducing waste,” said: Maximilian Koenig, Founder of Earth Company
Legislation mandating reusable packaging has already been enacted in countries around the world. Under a new law that was enacted in January, all restaurants and food service providers in Germany must offer reusable alternatives to single use packaging when selling food and beverages.
Learn more at: https://www.choose2reuse.nyc/