Here is an Op-Ed piece that just appeared in NY State, written by the Business Council of NYS, the largest business lobbying group in the state. The piece was written to reduce support for efforts designed to reduce plastic packaging. As is typical for business lobbyists, it bases its reasoning on the fact that costs for businesses and consumers will rise. Again as is typical, it states concern for the fact that both small businesses and those less fortunate will suffer the most from these cost increases. What these types of lobbyists are missing is data concerning whether or not the environmental impacts, both good and bad, will be worth the expenses associated with these anti-plastic efforts. This is especially true if appealing to younger audiences, which seem to correctly understand that the environmental dimensions are at least as important as the economic and social dimensions associated with packaging decisions. So, without being able to show that the cost increases far outweigh the environmental benefits, I am unconvinced. My opinion only. #springpackarchive
‘As is typical’ this doesn’t solve the problem in question. Certainly there is plenty of evidence to claim environmental problems mostly associated with litter of plastic. Reduction of plastic 1) hampers business either through cost or delivery of products in a new package 2) adds cost of change to adopt new/different containers 3) shifts packaging to other forms which will also be littered since this does nothing to address that which is the root of the problem, not the container. To borrow a slogan - “Buy, bin, bury”. It’s the reasonable approach regardless of the package.
Agree 100%. A total misrepresentation of the facts with no understanding of the true financial impact on packaging and consumer. However, Perhaps they need to adjust the minimum exemption threshold from $1 million in sales to 5 or 10 million as we have done in our Tennessee legislation.
Thanks for sharing this. Is there a lobbying group in favor of the bill?
Research & Development Leader – Oilfield and Refinery Chemicals
3moYes, obviously both need to be considered. It is not the defendant’s job to make the prosecution’s case but it is their job to address it and shoot it down as best they can. Unfortunately, that is not this groups area of expertise, so a mere expert witness, they could not address it themselves. I find it highly unlikely, however, that younger audiences correctly understand the relative dimensions of the environmental, economic, and social effects. They generally lack the diversity, breadth, and depth of education and experience needed to properly make or refrain from making those judgments.