This proposed legislation extends the five-cent deposit to non-carbonated beverages such as bottles of water, sports drinks, and teas not covered by the 1982 Bottle Bill.  The recycle rate for beer and soda containers covered by the current law is 80%, but only 10% - 20% of non-carbonated beverage containers are recycled.  The rest end up in the trash or littering our communities.

Why is trashing plastic bottles a problem?  Burning plastic releases Dioxins, some of the most toxic and carcinogenic chemicals known to man!

Recycling plastic bottles would also save roughly 18 million barrels of crude oil annually and prevent 800,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases.  

The Bigger Better Bottle Bill now appears to have a better chance in the State Legislature following the recent change in legislative leadership. It has the support of Gov. David Paterson. Republican Dean Skelos, the new State Senate Majority Leader, voted for an earlier bottle bill when he was a rank-and-file legislator. Joseph Bruno, the former Senate Majority Leader, strongly opposed the bill.  On June 11, the Assembly passed the Bigger Better Bottle Bill after a three-hour debate. Now it’s up to the Senate to take action

Please contact your senator and urge him/her to support this common sense bill in the fall legislative session.

To find your senator’s contact information, follow the link below and enter your zip code in the box provided:  
Please Contact your Senator!


8/15/08     National Audubon victory helps protect grassland birds
A plan being considered by the United States Department of Agriculture to open up millions of acres of private land into agricultural production was abandoned in a July 2008 decision.  More at:  www.audubon.org/campaign/farmBill.html


8/15/08  Please Don't Move Firewood!
A new regulation is now in effect that prohibits the import of firewood into New York unless it has been kiln-dried. The new regulation also limits the transportation of untreated firewood to less than 50 miles from it's source.                                                              
                                                             
Bringing your firewood with you to hunting camp or a campground?  Most people don't realize they move bugs along with their firewood. You could be spreading diseases from insect invaders that can quickly kill large numbers of trees. Our forests are at risk from the transport of firewood infested with tree killers. Help protect our forests and STOP THE SPREAD of these pests. Use only firewood from local sources.
If you bring firewood, burn ALL of it before leaving your campsite.                                      
Further information about firewood and insect pests can be found at:  www.dec.ny.gov/lands/28722.html