Assembly Resolution No. 1281

BY: M. of A. Rules (Solages)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
July 2018, as Plastic Free Month in the State of New
York

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 continue to accentuate the importance of
being green and continuing to reduce the amount of plastic we use in our
lives; and

WHEREAS, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 2018, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York, and to the events commemorating Plastic Free July throughout
New York State.