5.7.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Extended Producer Responsibility Act Too Costly for New York
Blog Categories
May 7, 2021
5.7.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Extended Producer Responsibility Act Too Costly for New York
For weeks, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership has sounded the alarm on S. 1185, known as the Extended Producer Responsibility Act. This bill would broadly shift the responsibility of recycling packaging material (carton, glass, metal), paper and plastic products from municipalities to businesses, which the BNP suspected would add exorbitant costs onto businesses and consumers.
Recently, our fears were substantiated. A new report studied the fiscal impacts the EPRA would have on New York State. The findings were staggering, but ultimately not surprising. The study found that the EPRA would result in:
- Over $800m in direct costs to producers
- $2-4 billion in additional costs to the NYS economy
- 4-6% increase in the cost of a “basket of goods”
- $36-$57 increase in monthly grocery bills for a family of four
- Disproportionate impacts on low-income families
The research makes it clear: New York cannot afford the EPRA. This bill will drive employers out of New York, and the cost will ultimately be borne by low-income residents who can least afford it.
The BNP will continue to highlight the many problems with this bill so Albany steers clear of passing it.
To learn more or contact your lawmakers about this bill, visit HERE.
Related Posts
Workforce & Labor Concerns Dominate BNP’s annual Member Pulse Report
The Partnership’s annual Advocacy & Member Survey is designed to identify pain points, areas of concern, and obstacles to growth. We have summarized the 2021 results in the Member Pulse Report.
According to the survey, the top concern of Buffalo Niagara employers is their difficulty finding and retaining qualified talent.
9.28.21 Advocacy Alert: NYS To Raise Minimum Wage
The New York State Department of Labor announced a forthcoming increase in the minimum wage across upstate New York.
On December 31, the minimum wage in our region will rise to $13.20 per hour, a 70-cent increase from the current rate.
9/24/21 Webisode: Navigating the New Federal Vaccine Mandate for Employers
President Joe Biden recently announced a new mandate requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require weekly testing of unvaccinated workers.
9.20.21 Advocacy Alert: Border Closure Extended Through October
This morning, the U.S. federal government announced that it will be extending its closure to Canadian travelers through October 21.
Non-essential Canadian travelers have been banned from entering the U.S. since March 2020. Despite calls from the BNP, numerous members of Congress, and chambers across the nation to open the border, the Biden administration has not relented in its approach – even after Canada opened its doors to American travelers in August.