Lawrence pushes Styrofoam ban

In his State of the State Address on Wednesday, the governor called for a series of environmental initiatives.

“Last year we banned plastic bags and we were exactly right,” Cuomo said. “And this year we must end the thousands of tons of Styrofoam that are creating toxic contaminants and littering our waterways. Let’s get it done this session.”

The ban on single-use plastic bags will be effective in March.

Greene County Legislator William B. Lawrence, R-Cairo, commended the governor for setting this goal.

“I think it’s a good move,” Lawrence said. “Styrofoam is a very dangerous material.”

Lawrence proposed a countywide ban on Styrofoam last year.

“The bill was meeting some resistance because people don’t want to affect small businesses,” Lawrence said. “I think it would be better for people, landfills and the health of New York state.”

Lawrence’s resolution allowed a 6-month period for businesses to use up their Styrofoam materials.

Many businesses are already switching to paper alternatives, Lawrence said.

Lawrence plans to bring up his bill one more time for a vote, he said.

Former EPA Regional Administrator and Beyond Plastics founder Judith Enck supports the proposed statewide ban, she said.

“I strongly support the proposed ban on polystyrene that was proposed by the governor and hope that it passes this year,” Enck said. “Last year the governor proposed updating New York’s successful bottle bill and I was sorry not to see that in the State of the State speech. I hope it will be included in the governor’s budget proposal. We need to update the state bottle bill to expand the deposit system to non-carbonated beverages, put deposits on wine and liquor, and increase the deposit to a dime.”

Ulster, Albany and Suffolk counties, as well as New York City, have banned Styrofoam, Enck said in August.

“Styrofoam is not recyclable. It has to be burned or buried,” she said.

A study conducted by the environmental watchdog organization Riverkeeper found that Styrofoam was the Hudson River’s most common pollutant, Enck said.

Riverkeeper Legislative Advocacy Manager Jeremy Cherson voiced his support for the proposed ban in a statement Wednesday.

“Styrofoam packaging is one of the most common items Riverkeeper finds along the shores of the Hudson River,” Cherson said. “New York City and other communities in the state have already phased out the environmentally damaging packaging, which is derived from fossil fuels. We are thrilled to see this proposal included in the State of the State and look forward to its passage.”

Cherson also approved the proposed Restore Mother Nature Bond Act, a $3 billion bond act aimed at natural restoration and increasing resiliency throughout the state.

“We are thrilled to see the $3 billion Restore Mother Nature Bond Act included to ensure clean water and environmental programs receive the funding they deserve,” Cherson said. “Restore Mother Nature can give New York’s animals stressed by the climate crisis and years of exploitation a fighting chance to recover and thrive. Nearly all of the Hudson River’s iconic fish are in serious long-term decline, including the ecologically and economically important striped bass. State investments protecting vulnerable animals and their habitats also help communities across the region at risk from sea-level rise and increased flooding through projects such as wetland restoration.”

Cuomo has high aspirations for the bond act.

“We must develop the solution to the harmful algal blooms before they destroy our water source,” Cuomo said. “We must restore fisheries and streams and wetlands. We must conserve more forest areas. We must replant more trees. We must filter drinking water. We must stop the nitrogen runoffs. And that’s what the Restore Mother Nature Bond Act will do, those investments and more. It is our responsibility to leave our planet cleaner and greener and more sustainable for our future generations. We must, we can, we will. And we’ll start this year.”