Residents of New Paltz, Rosendale, Highland and other towns in Senator Hinchey’s district are celebrating her recent decision to co-sponsor the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, (S.4246), a powerful bill that would put responsibility for this growing plastics problem where it belongs – with the producers.

On July 20, the group delivered a sign-on letter containing over 320 signatures thanking her for co-sponsoring, and urging her to make its passage one of her top priorities in the 2024 legislative session.

“Single-use plastic is hazardous to human health, marine health, air, water and soil. It leaches potentially toxic chemicals into our food and personal care products, speeds climate change and is a threat to fenceline communities. We have proven policy tools and plastic-free alternatives. We are so glad that Senator Hinchey is supporting legislation to end this dependance on a material that isn’t effectively recycled and is on track to triple in less than thirty years,” said Deb Weltsch, a member of Beyond Plastics New Paltz.

The peaceful event celebrated legislative action to reduce plastic waste in New York State. Some group members brought laundry jugs, soda bottles, clamshell containers, polystyrene food containers and various pouches and bags.