Drivers in the state of New York will soon have the option of choosing a recycling-themed license plate to show their support for the industry. The plates have been designated as “issues” plates, which means the $25 annual fee will go directly to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.
The plate was developed by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles in Partnership with the New York State Association for Reduction Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3).
“This is the first recycling license plate issued in the United States,” says Sharon Fisher, President of NYSAR3. “Other states including the State of Washington are looking to emulate it.”
The license plate features a logo of the green chasing arrows recycling symbol overlaid on a silhouette of New York State. Along the bottom of the plate it reads, “Reduce Reuse Recycle,” and in the lower left hand corner, below the logo, it reads “New York Recycles.”
Senator Carl L. Marcellino introduced legislation in the Senate and Assemblyman William Colton introduced the bill in the Assembly to make the plate possible.
”Displaying the New York Recycles License Plate on a vehicle shows pride in New York’s Recycling Programs,” says Senator Marcellino. “New York communities throughout the state have worked hard, with support of New York State Government, to implement effective recycling programs. These programs demonstrate the ability of New Yorkers to form effective partnerships between governments, citizens and the private sector to create a sustainable economy in New York State,” he adds.
Senator Marcellino represents a portion of both Nassau and Suffolk counties. He is Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee.
Assemblyman William Colton, who represents part of Brooklyn, comments, “Recycling has become an integral part of managing solid and hazardous wastes in New York State. This license plate offers New Yorkers the opportunity to demonstrate their personal commitment to the concepts of reduction, reuse and recycling. In addition, purchase of the license plate increases funding for municipal recycling programs through the deposit of the annual purchase fee into the Environmental Protection Fund.”
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has also endorsed the plate, remarking, “Recycling promotes sustainability and is good public policy. Every community in New York is legally required to have recycling programs in place. There is strong public support for recycling and I support efforts, such as this one, which educate the public about the many benefits of recycling.”
Spitzer has been credited with working with communities that had stopped recycling to reintroduce their recycling programs, as state law requires. Steps were taken to make the programs more effective and to gain public support.
The $25 dollar annual fee from each license plate sale and renewal will be credited to the Environmental Protection Fund’s Solid Waste Account to fund municipal waste reduction or recycling activities.
The New York State Association for Reduction Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) is a statewide Association that was formed in 1988. It is dedicated to promoting recycling and providing educational and networking opportunities to public and private recycling professionals throughout New York State. It also supports citizens, advocates and not-for profit organizations dedicated to waste prevention, material reuse and recycling.