AF&PA Opposes Amendments to New York’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

"A study found PRRIA could increase the cost of everyday essentials up to $732 a year for a family of four. New Yorkers are already wary of the state's EPR program's impact on their budgets: 56% believe EPR would drive up costs, and 63% worry EPR could increase grocery prices.

"Beyond affordability, the amendments expand the program to include commercial packaging, but this change will not meaningfully improve paper recycling rates. Instead, it will make paper recycling more difficult and expensive. That's because commercial recycling for paper-based packaging is already widely available through industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) collection streams across New York. In fact, AF&PA estimates that over 80% of all cardboard collected for recycling nationwide comes from ICI streams, and more than 90% of these materials are recycled.

"By advancing amendments developed without meaningful stakeholder engagement, the sponsors continue to overlook practical concerns that will result in added costs and complexity without improving paper recycling outcomes.