First recycling license plate is in the works

Albany, NY— The New York State Association for Reduction Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) praised the introduction of legislation to create a New York Recycles “Issues” license plate. 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 U.S.” said 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 the legislation in the Senate and Assemblyman William Colton has introduced the bill in the Assembly.

The bill requires the $25 dollar annual fee from each license plate sale and renewal to be credited to the Environmental Protection Fund s Solid Waste Account to fund municipal waste reduction or recycling activities.

NYSAR3 created an organizational plate in partnership with the Department of Motor Vehicles last year. The legislation will change the plate, from an Organizational Plate, which is currently available, to an Issues Plate.

This change would allow the dedication of the $25 annual fee to the Environmental Protection Fund. The $25 fee is charged to all custom plate owners. The change would also raise the visibility of the license plate on the Department of Motor Vehicles Custom Plates website.