The Troy City Council is gearing up to tackle legislation governing plastics when it meets on Thursday.
The "Plastic Free Hudson River Act” will be up for a vote. Introduced by Councilmember David Bissember, a Democrat, it supports the state's ban on plastic bags, imposing a 5-cent fee on paper bags. Restaurants would be required to limit the use of plastic straws and Styrofoam cups, plates and containers would be banned citywide. Republican Council President Carmella Mantello:
“What the majority has decided to do with this legislation, is speak with the environmental folks, but they haven’t spoken to the businesses or included the businesses.”
Mantello adds city officials say if passed the measure would be unenforceable. She favors stepping up recycling efforts.