Senate Resolution No. 120

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
July 3, 2023, as Plastic Bag Free Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
environmental 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 3, 2023, as Plastic
Bag Free Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of International Plastic Bag Free Day; and

WHEREAS, Created by Bag Free World, International Plastic Bag Free
Day was created as a worldwide initiative for the purpose of getting rid
of the single-use of plastic bags around the world by promoting
environmental conservation and encouraging us all to stay away from the
use of plastic bags and instead, look for more eco-friendly
alternatives; and

WHEREAS, Plastic pollution is a global catastrophe; plastic bags are
used by almost every retailer we visit, accounting for approximately 500
billion plastic bags which are thrown out, causing detrimental effect on
the environment, wildlife and indeed human health; plastic bags remain
in the world for anywhere from 100-500 years before finally decaying
completely; and

WHEREAS, The marine ecosystem in particular is suffering immensely
as a result of plastic pollution; 31 species of marine mammals are known
to have ingested marine plastic whilst over 100 species of sea birds
have ingested plastic artefacts, and over 250 species have become
entangled in plastic, whilst entanglement rates of approximately eight
percent have been discovered in some sea lion and seal species; and

WHEREAS, This pollution is also extremely dangerous because it is
leading to the transportation of invasive species, which can have a
catastrophic influence on biodiversity; and

WHEREAS, Humans are not immune from the impact either; plastic
particles in the ocean attract toxins, which in turn affects us, as the
toxins enter the food chain; and

WHEREAS, International Plastic Bag Free Day is dedicated to
heightening awareness about these and very real and pressing issues
brought about by this most popular of disposable carrying devices; we
are reminded that those bags we pick up from the retailers are used for
an incredibly short time, usually under 25 minutes, and are then
disposed of; and

WHEREAS, Out in the great reaches of the ocean are massive reefs
made up of all sorts of plastic waste, and plastic bags play heavily

among them; International Plastic Bag Free Day gives us an opportunity
to remind ourselves, and others, that every action we take, and every
bag we dispose of, effects the lives of everyone in the world for
generations to come; and

WHEREAS, Everyday millions of plastic bags get disposed of, and
without intervention, the future is going to be dealing with hundreds of
millions of pounds of plastic bags clogging oceans, rivers, and the
world at large; the problem has reached such proportions that what was
once clean sand on the beaches of the world are now being found to be
made of composites of natural substances and garbage plastic; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious environmental issue, and more must be done to increase
activity at the local, state, national and international levels; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 3, 2023, as Plastic
Bag Free Day 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 Bag Free World.