Take local action to reduce climate emissions and pollution!
Join the New York is Not Disposable coalition in Albany and urge state legislators to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, the strongest state bill in the nation to address planet-warming single-use plastics by reducing them at the source.
Plastic is the fastest-growing sector of the fossil fuel industry, threatening to derail climate progress. Plastic currently warms the planet 4x more than the global aviation industry. Federal action to address the problem remains unlikely in the forseeable future - but we have an opportunity to take decisive action at the state level by passing this bill which has national implications.
What can you expect for an Advocacy Day?
The Advocacy Day will include meeting with state senators and assemblymembers to urge them to support this bill. We'll also have speakers, host a rally, and invite members of the press. You will be well prepared with talking points, memos, and information in advance. After you RSVP, you will be emailed information for a virtual event briefing on Thursday, January 23, at 6pm that will cover the bill information, schedule for the day, and explain how to make your meetings with your legislators effective. Each meeting will have a team leader and you will be well supported.
Bus information for downstate residents
If you would like to RSVP for the free bus, please select your pickup location on the form. Pickup and drop off locations:
The bus will pick up passengers at the Tick Tock Diner at W 34th Street and 8th Avenuein Manhattan at 7am.
The bus will make a stop at the New Paltz Park n Ride between approximately 8:45-9am
The bus will arrive in Albany at Westminster Presbyterian Church between approximately 10-10:30am
The bus will depart from Albany at 4:30 pm, stopping in New Paltz and arriving back at the Tick Tock Diner at approximately 7pm.
Seats are limited, please RSVP using the form linked below!
*Carpooling may be available. Click here to view carpool options, start, or join a pool.
Why is this important?
Plastic packaging is made from fossil fuels and chemicals.
The U.S. is the world's largest plastic polluter.
Plastic is responsible for double the emissions as the global aviation industry.
Just 5-6% of plastic is recycled in the U.S.
Plastic never biodegrades, it just breaks down into smaller microplastics. Microplastics have been found in human blood, hearts, lungs, placentas, and breastmilk.
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act reduces plastic at the source and makes packaging truly recyclable and less toxic.
The Bigger Better Bottle Bill modernizes the current state law, and would recover billions of valuable recyclable containers from the waste stream.
Massive grassroots advocacy is the firewall against Big Plastic's influence. The American Chemistry Council, fossil fuel companies, and consumer brands are in Albany opposing this bill and talking to legislators - we need YOU to add your voice to pass these two major climate and environmental justice bills!
If you need accommodations for accessibility, please contact Alexis Goldsmith at alexisgoldsmith@bennington.edu. We will do our best to make meeting with your legislators as accessible as possible.
