Assembly Resolution No. 416
BY: M. of A. Solages
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
July 2021, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 2021, as Plastic
Free Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The goal of the 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 more than one 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, 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; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious environmental issue, and more must be done to increase activity
at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 2021, 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.
