New York State Assembly

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) today appeared in front of the New York City Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management to urge officials to stop a proposal that would ban polystyrene foam in New York City. Polystyrene foam is a material used in the production of food containers. New York State is home to several companies that manufacture the material.

"The fact that this proposal is being considered is more evidence that New York State is not open for business. The ripple effect from a ban on polystyrene foam in New York City would be devastating for the entire state of New York," Leader Kolb said. "Not only would this ban threaten hundreds of jobs at upstate manufacturing companies, but it would drive up costs for restaurants and food service establishments using polystyrene products, which ultimately hurts the consumer."

Leader Kolb outlined his concerns about the damage a polystyrene ban would cause in letters to Mayor Bloomberg (March 18), Governor Cuomo (July 9) and Lt. Governor Duffy (Aug. 23), yet received no response. Copies of those letters are available upon request.

"The mounting concerns over Upstate New York's economic condition have fallen on deaf ears," Leader Kolb said. "New York City is preparing to embrace legislation that puts upstate families out of work, and it's shameful that elected leaders in a position to protect jobs have chosen to turn a blind eye to the problem."

Polystyrene manufacturers in New York State employ more than 1,500 men and women. Banning the use of these food containers in New York City would have a damaging impact throughout New York, resulting in job losses and further injuring the state's manufacturers - an industry already struggling in New York's onerous regulatory environment. According to statistics from the State Department of Labor, New York's manufacturing sector lost 12,300 jobs between October 2012 and October 2013.

Leader Kolb was joined in New York City today by business leaders, restaurant owners, community representatives and recycling experts who also voiced their objection to the proposed ban. In addition to threatening hundreds of quality jobs, the measure fails to explore options to recycle the material. Polystyrene recycling programs are already in place in 65 municipalities, including Los Angeles.

"Instead of putting more New Yorkers out of work, New York City officials should consider alternative measures, including instituting a recycling program to help preserve jobs in our communities and rein in the cost of doing business," Leader Kolb said.