Expands the food donation and food scraps recycling program by scaling down the annual average tonnage requirement every two years until 2028; removes exceptions regarding recycler capacity.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5906A Revised 5/8/24
SPONSOR: Shimsky TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
expanding the food donation and food scraps recycling program
PURPOSE:
Expands the New York State food scraps recycling and food donation
program.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision 1 of section 27-2201 of the environmental
conservation law by adding that a food scraps generator may average:
-two tons or more of food per week between Jan 1, 2023-Dec 31, 2024 -one
ton or more of food per week between Jan 1, 2025-Dec 31, 2026 -one half
ton or more of food per week starting. Jan 1, 2027 and thereafter.
Section 2 updates existing language from two tons to "tonnage" to
reflect the expansion and expands the maximum distance from 25 miles to
50 miles.
Section 3 states the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
In a recent article, the New York Times highlighted how food production
and food waste are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Each
step of food production from growing, harvesting, processing and packag-
ing to transportation and storing releases harmful gasses such as carbon
dioxide, and methane into the air. On average, we wasted about 35-40% of
the food we produce, says Emily Broad Leib, the director of the Harvard
Food Law and Policy Clinic. This results in food production being to
blame for almost 25-33% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and when
that food is wasted, the emissions that brought it forth are too.
Food scraps are often perfectly safe to eat, but end up being thrown out
where they sit in landfills to decompose and release even more methane.
Making excess foods more available to qualifying entities can feed New
York's lower income populations. This expansion will not only help feed
our hungry and address food insecurity, but will prevent additional
costs to food scraps generators and result in less food waste.
As the clock ticks down on climate change repercussions, New York must
be examining our means of sustainability and climate accountability in
all sectors we see fit.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: S9562 Died in Rules
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
1 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/20/climate/food- waste-app.html/
