Shoppers could soon notice a major change in the toilet paper aisle. A sweeping new bill in New York would force major retailers and manufacturers to cut down on plastic packaging used for everyday staples including toilet paper, paper towels and diapers.
What the Bill Proposes
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is aimed at slashing waste by making companies — rather than taxpayers and local governments — responsible for the packaging they put into the market. But critics warn the crackdown could leave shoppers paying more for household basics while also raising the risk of damaged products on store shelves.
The rules would apply to large companies with sales above $5 million that sell or distribute covered products in New York, hitting giants including Walmart, Target and Kroger. Under the proposal, manufacturers would have to reduce non-reusable or non-environmentally friendly packaging by 10 percent within three years and by 30 percent within 12 years.
The bill also sets long-term targets for packaging to become reusable, refillable or recyclable, with deadlines stretching as far as 2055.
Supporters and Opponents Weigh In
Supporters say the measure is needed because New York produces huge amounts of trash and local taxpayers are left paying the bill for disposal and recycling. A memo backing the bill states: "This legislation shifts the onus of recycling and waste hauling for packaging from municipalities and residents and ensures that producers of products are serving our interests by establishing solutions to sustainable packaging."
State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick recently introduced nearly 150 amendments to the bill after talks with industry groups, local governments and states that have already passed similar packaging laws. But opponents say the changes still go too far.
Dan Felton, president and CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association, warned that the bill could remove the plastic film that keeps basic goods dry and sanitary. "Even with its recent amendments it will eliminate the plastic film packaging that keeps essential products like toilet paper, paper towels, and diapers dry and sanitary," Felton told the New York Post.
Supermarket groups have also raised alarms about the cost. Nelson Eusebio, director of government affairs at the National Supermarkets Association, warned that independent supermarkets serving working-class and minority communities could be hit especially hard. "Even modest shifts in packaging policy can quickly translate into higher costs for families," he said.
Other States Taking Action
New York wouldn't be the only state trying to eliminate waste. Maine passed an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law in 2021, requiring companies to pay a packaging materials fee to help fund recycling programs. Oregon took this one step further, setting recycling standards and requiring companies to join an organization that helps manage the system.
Meanwhile, California has one of the most aggressive laws set in place for excess plastic. In 2022, the senate passed a bill aiming to eliminate 25 percent of single-use plastic by 2032.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Some brands have capitalized on the eco-friendly toilet paper trend, like Who Gives a Crap, made with 100 percent recycled toilet paper. Seek Bamboo sells organic toilet paper made of FSC-certified bamboo, while PlantPaper sells a similar product made without harsh chemicals like bleach.
