Albany, NY — As the legislative session races toward an end, Environmental Advocates NY is urging state leaders to pass a suite of bills that would do what politics so often struggles to—solve problems people actually face. These eight proposals aren’t abstract. They are kitchen-table, backyard, grocery-store, breathing-the-air solutions that protect New Yorkers from toxic chemicals, unaffordable energy, and mounting waste.
“This is the Legislature’s last, best chance this year to prove that protecting public health and climate is more than a slogan,” said Katherine Nadeau, Deputy Executive Director, Policy and Programs at Environmental Advocates NY. “We’ve done the research, drafted the solutions, and rallied the support. Now we just need the Legislature to vote.”
Among the legislation still awaiting final passage:
Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA)
Plastic waste is choking our ecosystems and municipal budgets. PRRIA shifts the responsibility for packaging waste off taxpayers and onto the companies who create it, while reducing plastic by 30% and investing in real recycling infrastructure.
NY HEAT Act
The NY HEAT Act rewrites the rules of New York’s outdated energy system. It caps household energy bills at 6% of income, stops automatic subsidies for new gas hookups, and sets a course for clean, affordable energy aligned with the state’s climate goals.
PFAS in Consumer Products Ban
Why are toxic chemicals still allowed in our cookware, dental floss, ski wax, and cleaning products? This bill bans PFAS from dozens of everyday items, saving taxpayers billions in future cleanup costs and preventing contamination before it starts.
Sewage Sludge Spreading Moratorium
Contaminated sludge—rife with PFAS, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals—is being spread on farmland across New York. This bill halts the practice for five years, gives farmers support, and sets up a plan to find safer solutions.
Beauty Justice Act
The beauty aisle shouldn’t be a toxic minefield—especially for women of color, who face disproportionate exposure to dangerous ingredients. This bill bans cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting chemicals from cosmetics, aligning New York with the EU and leading states.
PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act
PFAS chemicals don’t break down in the environment or the human body. And right now, we don’t even know how much of these “forever chemicals” are being released into New York’s water. This bill would change that by requiring polluters to test for and disclose PFAS in their wastewater discharges, giving regulators and the public the data they need to act.
Healthy Homes Right to Know Act
Gas stoves emit nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and benzene—sometimes at levels worse than car traffic. This bill requires warning labels on gas stoves so consumers know the risks and can make informed choices.
Food Date Labeling Act
Standardizes “Best if Used By” and “Use By” labels to reduce food waste, save consumers money on their grocery bills, and mitigates landfill methane emissions.
Together, these bills address the full spectrum of environmental harm—what we breathe, drink, touch, eat, and pay for. They’re backed by science, supported by communities, and ready for a vote.
“Our lawmakers have the opportunity to lead,” Nadeau said. “Not next year. Not after the next election. Now.”
