NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9279A
SPONSOR: Englebright TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
establishing a carpet collection program
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: To reduce the disposal of unwanted
carpets in landfills and to encourage carpet recycling with the estab-
lishment of a carpet collection program.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill would:
*Add a new title 33 to Article 27 of the Environmental Conservation Law;
*Include definitions for terms including "carpet" and "producers";
*Require carpet producers to either individually or collectively submit
a plan to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) outlining
the establishment of a carpet collection program by December 31, 2023;
*Require the plan to describe how the program will provide for
collection of carpet, in a manner convenient and free of cost to consum-
ers and carpet installers;
*Establish recycling rate goals;
*Establish a 13-member Stewardship Advisory Board. comprised of a mix of
carpet manufacturers, recyclers and consumer organizations, to make
recommendations to DEC regarding carpet collection plans;
*Require carpet manufacturers to affix labels providing producer name
and contact information and material composition and construction infor-
mation;
*Prohibit the use of PFAS substances; and,
*Establish minimum post-consumer content requirements.
JUSTIFICATION:
The Environmental Protection Agency has previously estimated that every
year an estimated five billion tons of carpet waste goes into landfills,
an amount equal to roughly 17 pounds per person. Between 94 and 100
percent of this carpet is made from plastic. In addition, to requiring
the use of petroleum products for production, discarded carpet also
takes up a significant amount of landfill space. However, carpet can be
recycled. Recycling rates are very low in parts because the costs are
slightly higher than virgin plastic, making it difficult to compete.
As has been the case with other products with environmental impli-
cations, including electronic waste, this legislation would require
carpet manufacturers to be responsible for costs associated with carpet
collection. In addition, this legislation would prohibit the use of PFAS
on carpets.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
There are date-specific implementation requirements associated with
various aspects of the program, including plan submission and implemen-
tation.
