Environment (Waste Management)

passed · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

K 1490: Recognizing May 29, 2026, as Learn About Composting Day

This bill designates May 29, 2026, as "Learn About Composting Day" to raise public awareness about the benefits of composting food waste. The resolution highlights that composting can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health, and help mitigate climate change impacts. It does not create new laws or require any specific actions from citizens or businesses. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage sustainable waste management practices in New York State.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes composting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil health, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 7, 2026

A 11032: Directs state agencies to adopt a waste diversion plan

This bill requires state agencies and public authorities to create and submit waste diversion plans aimed at significantly reducing how much trash they send to landfills. Affected entities must set a goal to cut waste disposal by ten percent every five years, starting from a 2018-2019 baseline, with a long-term target of a seventy-five percent reduction. The plans must include strategies for recycling and composting, a timeline for auditing waste, steps to eliminate single-use plastics where safe, and consideration of better recycling sorting methods. A council of top state officials will oversee these efforts, review progress every five years, and update the goals as needed. All submitted plans must be made available to the public on the environmental department's website.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates waste diversion plans to reduce landfill use, promote recycling, and cut waste by 75%.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 10, 2026

A 9504: Relates to rechargeable battery recycling

New York's bill A 9504 requires retailers to accept used rechargeable batteries of similar type for free at any time during business hours. Retailers must display clear signs stating it's illegal to dispose of these batteries in trash and that they'll recycle them, with limits of up to 10 batteries per person (5 for e-scooter/bike batteries). Battery manufacturers must cover recycling costs through approved plans, and retailers cannot sell batteries unless the manufacturer has such an approved plan. The law specifically excludes vehicle batteries (like car batteries) and storage batteries (such as solar backup systems) from these requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates battery recycling to prevent hazardous waste pollution, aligning with environmental protection goals by reducing landfill contamination from toxic batteries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 5119: Relates to solid waste removal invoices and directs certain penalties and fines related to such invoices to be deposited into the environmental protection fund

Requires any waste hauler providing waste removal services to provide to customers certain estimated costs and invoices; includes penalties for initial and subsequent violations; requires moneys collected from penalties and fines to be deposited into the environmental protection fund.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects waste hauler penalty fines to environmental protection fund, explicitly funding environmental efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1626: Prohibits the DEC from restricting the burning of garbage, refuse or rubbish in an open fire under certain circumstances

Prohibits the DEC from restricting the burning of garbage, refuse or rubbish in an open fire on land possessed by a single family or any part of a farm under certain circumstances; provides for the repeal of such provisions under the expiration thereof.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits DEC from restricting open burning of garbage, weakening air quality regulations and allowing increased pollution from unregulated burning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 6316: Relates to solid waste removal invoices and directs certain penalties and fines related to such invoices to be deposited into the environmental protection fund

Requires any waste hauler providing waste removal services to provide to customers certain estimated costs and invoices; includes penalties for initial and subsequent violations; requires moneys collected from penalties and fines to be deposited into the environmental protection fund.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects penalties/fines from waste hauler violations into environmental protection fund, explicitly funding conservation efforts per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 1209: Establishes extended producer responsibility for mattresses

This bill establishes an extended producer responsibility program for mattresses, requiring manufacturers and importers to manage the disposal and recycling of their products. Producers must submit a detailed plan to the state department outlining how they will collect discarded mattresses, with specific goals to ensure collection sites are accessible to the majority of residents within a few years. The program defines recycling as separating materials for reuse while excluding incineration, chemical conversion, or landfill disposal. Retailers and consumers are also involved, with retailers responsible for facilitating the return of old mattresses and consumers able to discard them at designated collection sites. The legislation creates an advisory board to oversee the program and sets up enforcement measures and penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates mattress recycling, reducing landfill waste and conserving resources - directly advancing environmental protection through pollution control.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4374: Relates to prohibiting illegal dumping on public property

This bill prohibits illegal dumping of refuse, trash, or harmful substances on public property like streets, parks, and waterways. It imposes fines of $500 for a first offense (increasing to $1,000 for repeat offenses) and requires offenders to cover cleanup costs. The bill also creates a reward system where witnesses providing evidence (e.g., video or license plate photos) may receive a discretionary reward if their tip leads to a fine. The bill is currently referred to the Environmental Conservation committee and directly affects individuals who dump waste on public land.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits illegal dumping of harmful substances on public property, directly reducing pollution in parks/waterways and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5441: Directs the department of environmental conservation to undertake a review of the regulations governing the permitting of landfills and transfer stations

Directs the department of environmental conservation to undertake a review of the regulations governing the permitting of landfills and transfer stations to ensure that such regulations integrate the latest scientific information.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs review of landfill regulations to integrate latest science, strengthening environmental oversight and regulatory standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Waste Management

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 1463: Establishes extended producer responsibility for mattresses

This bill creates a new program requiring mattress manufacturers and importers to manage the disposal of used mattresses sold in the state. To comply, producers must submit a plan to the Department of Environmental Conservation that outlines how they will collect discarded mattresses, transport them to designated sites, and recycle or reuse the materials. The legislation sets specific goals for making collection sites accessible to most residents within a few years and defines recycling as separating materials for new products, while excluding burning or landfilling. Retailers are also assigned responsibilities under the law, and the bill establishes an advisory board to oversee the program's implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates mattress recycling, reducing landfill waste and conserving resources, directly aligning with environmental protection and pollution control goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Waste Management

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