Assembly Resolution No. 2282

BY: M. of A. Rules (Solages)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
July 2024, 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 2024, as Plastic Free
Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The goal of 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, straws, plastic packaging, and
anything that is 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 2024, 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.