Posted on 8/14/2025 by Stephi
The Right to Refill Bill, sponsored by Senator Patricia Fahy (S7408) in the Senate, and sponsored by Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles in the Assembly (A8007) are a step in the right direction, but do not expand the current BYO rights beyond the right to use BYO containers for beverages and to take home leftovers.
· We want the sponsors of these bills to include amendments that would "enshrine the right to BYO clean containers from home for takeout at restaurants and grocery store delis across New York State."
· California, Oregon and other regions of the US as well as other countries in the world have passed effective BYO legislation.
· Why the urgency? Scientific research shows the risks posed by microplastics and PFAS and other toxic chemicals found in single-use plastic and plastic coated single-use containers.
· Expanding BYO rights through effective Right to Refill legislation is a meaningful low-cost policy that supports public health and climate objectives.
Read the Action Network's petition: Let Us Reuse: New Yorkers Deserve Real BYO Rights on their website: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/byo-rights-ny/