Push to reduce single-use plastics

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--Cheese and snack wrappers are among the single-use plastics environmentalist would like to see reduced. A bill introduced in the New York State Legislature would cutdown on this type of packaging by 50% over the next 12 years.

"It also would get rid of the most toxic chemicals used in packaging including PFAS chemicals, lead, formaldehyde, vinyl chloride," said Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics.

The Business Council of New York has some concerns.

"It bans some of the basic building blocks, if you will, of packaging particularly with plastic packaging in a lot of applications which is not a readily available alternative," said Ken Pokalsky, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Business Council of New York State.

With only days left of session, the Senate has talked about possibly changing the reduction of plastic packaging from 50% to 30%.

"Which would be a mistake, we would prefer 50%. It’s over 12 years, it’s manageable, " Enck said about the possible amendment.

Senator Pete Harckham sponsors the legislation.

"Even if you ended up at 30%, you are still the toughest bill in the country," said Harckham. "Tougher than California, tougher than Washington, tougher than other states that have done this. But we will see where we land in negotiations."

It’s unclear if the Assembly is planning to make changes.