New York Packaging Reduction Law: 2026 Status and Current Requirements
Table of Contents
Last legally reviewed: August 18, 2026
Quick Answer
As of August 18, 2026, New York’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, S.1464-A / A.1749-A, has not been enacted.
The official New York State Senate record lists S.1464-A in the Senate Rules Committee following action on June 5, 2026. It is not listed as passed by both houses, delivered to the governor, or signed.
Businesses should therefore treat the New York packaging reduction law as a proposed bill, not a current compliance requirement.
Existing New York requirements for plastic carryout bags, expanded polystyrene packaging, compostable bag labeling, food packaging, and hazardous substances remain in force.
This guide is written for brands, importers, distributors, packaging suppliers, and institutional buyers. It provides general B2B information and is not legal advice.
New York Packaging Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act | Proposed bill; not in force as of August 18, 2026 |
| Plastic carryout bag restrictions | In force since March 1, 2020 |
| Expanded polystyrene food-service container ban | In force since January 1, 2022 |
| Polystyrene packing peanut ban | In force since January 1, 2022 |
| Expanded polystyrene cold-storage container restrictions | In force since January 1, 2026 |
| Compostable bag recycling warning | Current labeling requirement |
| PFAS restriction for covered food packaging | In force since December 31, 2022 |
| Heavy-metal limits for packaging | Current requirement under the Hazardous Packaging Act |
New York does not regulate every type of packaging through one single law.
The product, material, intended use, sales channel, environmental claim, and customer type can affect which requirement applies.
Current Status of the New York Packaging Reduction Law
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is commonly called PRRIA or the New York packaging EPR bill.
EPR means extended producer responsibility. Under an EPR system, producers help fund or manage the collection, recycling, and end-of-life treatment of the packaging they place on the market.
A previous version of S.1464 passed the New York State Senate in 2025 but died in the Assembly. The bill returned in 2026, was amended, and was committed to the Senate Rules Committee on June 5, 2026.
It has not become law.
Buyers and suppliers can monitor the official S.1464-A bill page for later actions.
What PRRIA Would Require if Enacted
The current amended bill would create an EPR program for covered packaging and certain single-use products.
If enacted in its current form, the proposal would establish:
- Producer registration through a packaging reduction and recycling organization
- Packaging reduction and recycling plans
- Producer fees and reporting requirements
- Funding for collection and recycling infrastructure
- Reimbursement for certain municipal waste services
- Packaging reduction, reuse, and recycling targets
- Recyclability requirements
- Restrictions on certain toxic substances
- Oversight and rulemaking by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The current amended text also proposes phased packaging targets.
| Proposed Area | Current Bill Language |
|---|---|
| Packaging reduction | 10% after three program years, increasing in stages to 30% after twelve program years |
| Reusable or refillable packaging | 5% by 2032, 10% by 2040, and 20% by 2055 |
| Plastic packaging reuse or recycling | 25% by 2032, 50% by 2040, and 75% by 2055 |
| Non-plastic packaging reuse or recycling | 35% by 2032, 50% by 2040, and 75% by 2055 |
These are proposed requirements.
They are not currently enforceable. The percentages, dates, definitions, exemptions, responsible parties, and implementation process could change before enactment or through later rulemaking.
Businesses should not claim that products are “PRRIA compliant” while the proposal remains unfinished.
How the Proposed Law Could Affect B2B Packaging Buyers
If PRRIA is enacted, responsibility may depend on the final definition of a producer.
The responsible party could be affected by:
- Brand ownership
- Product manufacturing
- Import arrangements
- Distribution structure
- Online sales
- Private-label agreements
- Business size and applicable exemptions
An overseas packaging factory should not automatically be treated as the responsible producer.
Brands and importers should review who places the packaged product into the New York market and who controls the brand shown on the package.
Until the final law and implementing rules are available, PRRIA should be treated as a planning issue rather than a completed compliance checklist.
New York Plastic Bag Law
New York’s Bag Waste Reduction Act took effect on March 1, 2020.
The law prohibits covered sellers from distributing plastic carryout bags to customers at retail checkout, subject to statutory exemptions.
Exempt uses may include certain bags used for:
- Fresh produce
- Bulk food
- Meat and seafood
- Prescription medicines
- Other uses defined by the law and regulations
A compostable certificate does not create a separate checkout-bag exemption.
A certified compostable bag may still fall under the carryout bag restriction if its use and design meet the legal definition of a prohibited plastic carryout bag.
Paper carryout bags may be offered. Some local governments also apply a five-cent paper bag fee.
Buyers should classify the intended use before choosing a material. A checkout bag, produce bag, organic-waste liner, and trash bag may be treated differently.
The current requirements are explained on the NYSDEC Plastic Bag Waste Reduction page.
Are Packing Peanuts Banned in New York?
New York prohibits expanded polystyrene loose-fill packaging, commonly called foam packing peanuts.
The statewide restriction took effect on January 1, 2022. It applies to manufacturers and stores, including retail and wholesale sellers.
The restriction concerns polystyrene loose fill.
It should not be described as a ban on every kind of void-fill packaging. Paper, starch-based, and other loose-fill products must be reviewed according to their own material and performance claims.
New York also restricts many expanded polystyrene food-service containers. Additional restrictions for certain expanded polystyrene cold-storage containers took effect on January 1, 2026.
The scope, affected businesses, and exemptions are available from the NYSDEC Polystyrene Foam Ban guidance.
Compostable Bag Labeling in New York
New York does not apply one universal certification rule to every compostable bag or packaging product.
However, compostable bags must be kept out of film-plastic recycling systems.
NYSDEC guidance states that compostable bags must carry this wording:
COMPOSTABLE BAG – DO NOT PLACE IN RECYCLING BIN.
This label is a disposal warning.
It does not, by itself, prove that the finished bag is certified compostable. See the NYSDEC film-plastic recycling guidance.
Compostable Bags for New York State Procurement
GreenNY maintains a separate procurement specification for compostable bioplastic organic-waste bags.
For products covered by that specification, the bag must:
- Be accepted and processed by the purchaser’s contracted organic-waste service provider
- Be certified by BPI, CMA, or another certification system accepted by the service provider
- Carry the certification logo
- Carry the word “compostable”
The specification does not cover every bag category. It excludes products such as pet-waste bags, medical-waste bags, conventional plastic trash bags, and certain paper bags.
This is a state procurement specification. It should not be presented as a universal rule for all bags sold in New York.
See the official GreenNY Compostable Bioplastic Organic Waste Bags specification.
ASTM D6400 and BPI Certification
ASTM D6400 is a compostability standard.
It is not a certification body.
More accurate claim wording includes:
- Tested to ASTM D6400
- BPI certified based on ASTM D6400
- Finished product included within the stated certificate scope
A raw-material certificate does not automatically certify every finished bag made from that material.
The finished bag may differ in:
- Thickness
- Color
- Printing ink
- Additives
- Bag dimensions
- Seal structure
- Product use
- Packaging claims
Buyers should verify whether the finished product falls within the certificate or test scope before approving artwork.
PFAS Requirements for Food Packaging
Since December 31, 2022, New York has prohibited intentionally added PFAS in covered food packaging.
PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They may be used to provide grease, oil, or water resistance.
The New York restriction applies to food packaging that is:
- Intended for direct food contact
- Made mainly from paper, paperboard, or other plant-fiber materials
- Sold, offered for sale, or distributed in New York
The restriction does not automatically apply to all plastic, glass, or metal packaging.
A supplier or manufacturer may provide a signed compliance certification for covered food packaging. That document is separate from a compostability certificate or laboratory test report.
See the NYSDEC PFAS in Food Packaging guidance.
Food-contact suitability must also be reviewed separately. A compostability certificate does not establish that a material is suitable or authorized for food contact.
Heavy Metals in Packaging
New York’s Hazardous Packaging Act restricts certain heavy metals in packaging and packaging components.
The requirements cover intentionally added:
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Mercury
- Hexavalent chromium
The combined incidental concentration of these metals is limited to 100 parts per million by weight.
Packaging components may include inks, dyes, pigments, adhesives, stabilizers, and other additives.
The official wording is available in the GreenNY Model Packaging Language.
This requirement is different from PFAS restrictions, compostability certification, and food-contact rules.
What Documents Should Buyers Request?
The document package should match the product and intended claim.
| Document | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Raw material certificate | Certification scope of a specific resin or material formulation |
| Finished product certificate | Certified product type, thickness, color, printing, or other covered conditions |
| Test report | Tested sample, method, laboratory, result, and test date |
| Technical data sheet | Material or product specifications and performance information |
| Supplier declaration | A statement made by the supplier; not independent certification |
| Compliance certification | A signed statement addressing a specific legal requirement |
| Declaration of Conformity | A market-specific conformity document; not the same as a test report or certificate |
| Facility acceptance | Confirmation that a composting or collection program accepts the product |
A certificate, test report, supplier declaration, and Declaration of Conformity are not interchangeable.
Buyers should check:
- Certificate holder
- Product name or code
- Covered thickness
- Printing and color scope
- Certification mark
- Validity date
- Target market
- Intended disposal system
B2B Checklist Before Supplying Packaging to New York
Before ordering or approving packaging for the New York market, confirm:
- What is the exact product and intended use?
- Is it a checkout bag, produce bag, waste liner, mailer, or food package?
- Is the requirement already in force or still proposed?
- Does the product contain expanded polystyrene?
- Does a compostable bag carry the required recycling warning?
- Is the environmental claim supported by finished-product documentation?
- Will the receiving composting or waste program accept the product?
- Does food packaging fall within the PFAS restriction?
- Are heavy-metal requirements addressed?
- Which company will act as the importer, brand owner, or responsible producer?
This review should take place before artwork and mass production are approved.
How ORIZON Supports New York Packaging Reviews
ORIZON supports B2B packaging projects for brands, importers, distributors, and institutional buyers.
Depending on the selected product, we can provide:
- Finished bag specifications
- Available raw-material and finished-product certificates
- Relevant test reports
- Technical data sheets
- Printing and labeling information
- Product samples
- Packaging artwork review
- Export packing information
Document availability depends on the exact material, thickness, color, printing, and finished product.
Our document review does not replace legal advice or final approval by the buyer, regulator, waste service provider, or certification body.
FAQ
No. As of August 18, 2026, S.1464-A / A.1749-A has not been enacted. The official Senate record lists the proposal in the Senate Rules Committee.
PRRIA is a proposed extended producer responsibility program for packaging and certain single-use products. It would establish producer registration, fees, reporting, packaging reduction, recycling, reuse, and other requirements.
Most plastic carryout bags are prohibited at retail checkout for covered sellers, subject to statutory exemptions. The law took effect on March 1, 2020.
Expanded polystyrene loose-fill packaging, commonly called foam packing peanuts, has been prohibited since January 1, 2022. The restriction does not apply to every type of void-fill material.
Compostable certification does not create an exemption from the plastic carryout bag law. The bag’s intended use and legal classification must still be reviewed.
NYSDEC guidance requires compostable bags to carry the wording “COMPOSTABLE BAG - DO NOT PLACE IN RECYCLING BIN.”
No single statewide rule requires BPI certification for every compostable bag application. However, the GreenNY procurement specification for covered organic-waste bags requires BPI, CMA, or another accepted certification, together with service-provider acceptance.
No. The current food-packaging restriction applies to intentionally added PFAS in covered direct-food-contact packaging made mainly from paper, paperboard, or other plant-fiber materials.
If you are sourcing packaging for the New York market, send us:
- Product type and intended use
- Target customer and sales channel
- Bag or packaging dimensions
- Material and thickness
- Printing artwork
- Intended environmental claims
- Required certification or test documents
- Estimated order quantity
- Delivery destination
We will review the product specification, available documentation, and manufacturing requirements before preparing a quotation.
Conclusion
The term “New York packaging law” can refer to several different requirements.
The proposed Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is not yet in force. Businesses should monitor it, but they should not describe it as an enacted law or claim PRRIA compliance.
Current requirements for plastic carryout bags, expanded polystyrene, compostable bag labeling, PFAS in covered food packaging, and heavy metals already affect packaging decisions.
For B2B buyers, the practical approach is to identify the product use, check the current official rule, verify the finished-product documents, and confirm local waste-system acceptance before approving claims or production.
