K 689: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2025, as Plastic Free Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 689 BY: M. of A. Solages MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2025, as Plastic Free Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2025, as Plastic Free Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, The goal of the Plastic Free July Initiative is to educate the people of New York of the importance of reusing, reducing, and recycling plastic items; Plastic Free July has gained momentum in over 100 countries, with over 1 million participants; and WHEREAS, Plastic Free July continues to accentuate the importance of being green and continuing to reduce the amount of plastic we use in our lives; and WHEREAS, In addition, Plastic Free July seeks to stress the staggering amounts of plastic that have been produced globally; studies have found that in the first 10 years of this century, more plastic was produced than the entire last century; across New York State, 9.37 billion single-use plastic bags are disposed of; and in New York City alone, 12.5 million dollars a year is spent on removing plastic waste; and WHEREAS, Already, the ocean is filled with 165 million tons of plastic, and by 2050, plastic in the oceans will outweigh fish, predicts a report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in partnership with the World Economic Forum; and WHEREAS, Plastic Free July seeks to take small strides at changing this global issue by starting with the people, challenging them to refuse to use single-use plastic; single use plastic is defined as plastic shopping bags, plastic cups, plastic straws, plastic packaging, and any plastic products that are expected only to be used once and then discarded; and WHEREAS, New Yorkers can commemorate this initiative by participating in this challenge by giving up single use plastic items for a day, a week, or the whole month; and WHEREAS, In recognition of the great accomplishments of the Plastic Free July Initiative, an educational and reaffirming month-long challenge is held across New York State; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body commends the Plastic Free July Initiative for enlightening New Yorkers of the importance of reusing and eliminating the usage of plastic items; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2025, as Plastic Free Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York, and to the events commemorating Plastic Free July throughout New York State.