K 268: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2025, as Day of Zero Waste in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 268 BY: M. of A. Glick MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2025, as Day of Zero Waste in the State of New York WHEREAS, This Legislative Body acknowledges the significant threat that waste poses to public health and the environment, recognizing the urgent need for decisive action to reduce waste as part of the ongoing battle against climate change; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2025, as Day of Zero Waste in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Day of Zero Waste; and WHEREAS, The United Nations declared March 30th as International Day of Zero Waste, with the goal to address the unsustainable production and consumption practices that are killing the planet; and WHEREAS, New York produces 37 million tons of waste a year, with only 38 percent of this being recycled; Seneca Meadows landfill, the largest landfill in the state, receives over 10 million pounds of garbage daily; landfills release methane gas into the atmosphere damaging the ozone layer and human health; and WHEREAS, In the United States only five percent of plastic is recycled; New Yorkers alone use 23 billion plastic bags annually; plastic bags do not biodegrade, they stay in our environment, damaging wildlife and releasing chemicals into the environment; other plastics can be broken down but can take up to 500 years to biodegrade; and WHEREAS, International Day of Zero Waste aims to promote zero waste initiatives, highlighting the benefits of reducing consumption, recycling and composting instead of throwing things away; and WHEREAS, Zero waste initiatives redistribute unwanted food to underprivileged communities and food banks, ensuring all New Yorkers are fed; and WHEREAS, Reducing waste conserves resources, putting less strain on the environment as demand for new raw materials is reduced; and WHEREAS, Effective waste management is crucial in protecting public health, mitigating the spread of disease and improving air and water quality; and WHEREAS, A zero-waste ethos empowers sustainable resource management through the entire production chain, beginning at product design and throughout the entire manufacturing process; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, state and national levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pauses in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 30, 2025, as Day of Zero Waste in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.