File source: Google

By Pastor Deborah Jenkins
 
As a pastor serving the Bronx community, I have witnessed firsthand the daily struggles of low-income families trying to make ends meet. The last thing they need is another policy that makes it even harder to afford basic necessities. That’s why I strongly support S.5062, a balanced and practical approach to waste management that protects both our environment and our most vulnerable residents.
 
While we all want to see less waste and a cleaner New York, we must be mindful of how we get there. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, an alternative proposal, would require manufacturers to redesign product packaging—an expense that will undoubtedly be passed down to small retailers and, ultimately, to consumers. For the families in my congregation and throughout the Bronx, this means higher prices on everyday essentials like food, personal care items, and household goods. Many of them are already stretching their budgets to the limit, and this kind of policy would only add to their burden.
 
Another deeply concerning aspect of this alternative bill is its push toward bulk sales as a way to reduce packaging. While this may work for wealthier, suburban communities where people have large pantries and access to cars, it is completely impractical for the majority of families in urban areas like the Bronx. Many of my parishioners live in small apartments with limited storage space, and they buy what they can afford week to week. They should not be forced into buying in bulk just to comply with misguided regulations that don’t take their reality into account.
 
S.5062, on the other hand, provides a much better solution. It ensures that producers take responsibility for waste management through a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), covering 90% of the cost of managing post-consumer waste. This means municipalities—and, by extension, taxpayers—will not have to shoulder an unfair financial burden. At the same time, it promotes realistic recycling, recovery, reuse, and reduction targets without forcing businesses or consumers into costly and impractical decisions.
 
We must pursue environmental sustainability in a way that uplifts, not punishes, the people who are already struggling. S.5062 provides the structure to do just that, ensuring that waste reduction efforts do not disproportionately impact low-income communities. It recognizes that a cleaner, greener New York must be built with equity in mind.
 
I urge our lawmakers to stand with the people who need their support the most. Let’s choose a path that protects both our environment and our communities. Supporting S.5062 is the right decision for New York, and it’s the right decision for the people I serve every day.

Reverend Dr. Deborah D. Jenkins is the Founding Pastor of Faith at the Work Christian Church in Coop City, Bronx, and author of Leading through Adversity: Lessons from the Prophets, and Preparing the Princess to be Queen: With 33 Successpirations for the Princess.