Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.
Impact
If enacted, S07408 will significantly impact the operational policies of food service establishments throughout New York State. These establishments will be required to adapt to new practices that allow the use of personal containers, which may involve adjustments regarding how food and beverages are handled and dispensed. This legislative shift is expected to promote more environmentally friendly practices, appealing to a growing demographic that prioritizes ecological responsibility and supports local and state initiatives towards waste reduction.
Summary
Bill S07408, known as the 'Right to Refill Act', aims to amend the public health law in New York by requiring food service establishments to allow customers to use their own reusable beverage and food containers. The act is a part of a burgeoning movement towards sustainability, designed to reduce the reliance on single-use items that contribute to environmental waste. This bill mandates that when customers request beverages or wish to package leftovers, establishments must accommodate their use of reusable containers, provided that the containers are suitable for the intended purpose and meet cleanliness standards.
Contention
During the discussions around S07408, several points of contention arose. Proponents of the bill argue that it empowers consumers by giving them the autonomy to choose sustainable alternatives over single-use containers. However, opponents have raised concerns about food safety and potential liability issues associated with reusable containers brought in by customers. Additionally, there are apprehensions that such regulations could impose additional burdens on small food service businesses that may lack the resources to effectively implement and manage these new requirements.
Same As
Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.
Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.
Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.
Relates to prohibiting the sale or manufacture of single-use plastic water bottles not comprised of one hundred percent recycled material; prohibits the sale of single-use plastic beverage containers comprised of less than seventy-five percent recycled materials; establishes penalties for violations; requires food service establishments to provide customers with tap water, beverages and leftovers in reusable beverage containers provided by a customer.
Relates to prohibiting the sale or manufacture of single-use plastic water bottles not comprised of one hundred percent recycled material; prohibits the sale of single-use plastic beverage containers comprised of less than seventy-five percent recycled materials; establishes penalties for violations; requires food service establishments to provide customers with tap water, beverages and leftovers in reusable beverage containers provided by a customer.
Provides that restaurants and third-party food delivery service may provide single-use food service items to customers when explicitly requested by the customer; prohibits certain plastic single-use items.
Provides that restaurants and third-party food delivery service may provide single-use food service items to customers when explicitly requested by the customer; prohibits certain plastic single-use items.
Exempts alcoholic beverages sold at retail by a licensed producer of alcoholic beverages to a customer where such sale occurs either at the brewery, winery or distillery where such alcoholic beverage was produced or as a direct delivery from the tax on alcoholic beverages.
Prohibits food service establishments from modifying the purchase price of items based on consumer demand except for when lowering the purchase price of a food or beverage item during specific times of the day.