Bill

A 11369

Enacts the "extended producer responsibility for artificial turf act of 2026"

2025 Regular Session

NY aims to shift end-of-life carpet and artificial turf management to producers, funding and running statewide recycling/collection programs with PFAS ban and rising recycling targ

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · A 11369

Summary of Bill A. 11369 (2025-2026) – Extended Producer Responsibility for Artificial Turf Act of 2026 (New York)

Purpose and intent

Establishes an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework for carpet and artificial turf in New York.
Requires producers (and their representative organizations) to finance and operate statewide collection, recycling, and end-of-life management programs for discarded carpet and artificial turf.
Aims to shift the costs and logistics of waste management away from municipalities and consumers, placing primary responsibility on producers.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions and scope
- Defines “artificial turf,” “carpet,” “producer,” and related terms (recycling, collection program, reuse, PFAS restrictions, etc.), expanding coverage to include shock-attenuation layers, infill, padding, and associated components.
- Establishes that plans must cover both carpet and artificial turf, with specific requirements for collection, recycling, and end-of-life handling.
Producer plans and collection programs
- By December 31, 2025, producers (individually or via a representative organization) must submit an approved plan for a statewide collection program.
- Plans must detail participating producers/brands, product coverage, collection/transport/recycling methods, and consumer access to free collection.
- Convenience standards require:
- Carpet: at least one permanent collection site in all counties and additional sites for every population threshold; potential city-specific adjustments after department consultation.
- Artificial turf: use of mobile collection units and permanent sites as needed to ensure statewide convenience.
- Plans must include education/outreach, methods to reuse/recycle, handling of non-recyclable/disposed material, and metrics to meet annual recycling goals.
Recycling goals and performance
- Annual targets for carpet/artificial turf recycling:
- 30% recycling rate within 5 years (10% of which is closed-loop recycling)
- 50% recycling rate within 10 years (20% closed-loop)
- 75% recycling rate within 15 years (40% closed-loop)
- Department may require additional permanent sites to improve convenience and participation.
Roles and responsibilities
- Retailers: Beginning July 1, 2026, retailers may sell only if the producer participates in an approved program; retailers can also voluntarily serve as designated collection sites.
- Producers/representative organizations: Responsible for all program costs, including collection, administration, and enforcement costs (department costs reimbursed only for actual expenses).
- New entrants post-2025 must submit a plan or join an existing one before selling carpet or artificial turf.
Penalties and enforcement
- Starting four years after plan approval, penalties of 25 cents per pound apply for shortfalls in meeting recycling goals, with penalties deposited to the environmental protection fund.
Labeling, PFAS ban, and product standards
- Requires labeling of carpet/turf products with producer and material information after plan approval.
- From December 31, 2026, prohibits PFAS substances in carpet/artificial turf sold in the state.
- Opening provision requires minimum post-consumer content in manufactured carpet/turf (exact percentages to be specified in regulations or subsequent text).
Governance and advisory body
- Establishes the Carpet and Artificial Turf Stewardship Advisory Board within the Department to advise on plans and implementation, including producers, retailers, recyclers, collectors, installers, and end-users.

Who is affected

Primary: Carpet and artificial turf producers and their representative organizations.
Secondary: Retailers, installers, collectors, recyclers, and consumers in New York State.
Municipalities and statewide waste management systems (through state collection programs and required convenience standards).

Timelines and implementation

Plan submission deadline: Not later than December 31, 2025.
Program implementation: Starting July 1, 2026, with ongoing administration and enforcement.
Compliance for PFAS ban: PFAS prohibition takes effect by December 31, 2026.
Penalty regime: Begins four years after plan approval (roughly 2029–2030, depending on approval timing).

Overall impact

Shifts financing and operational responsibility for end-of-life carpet and artificial turf management to producers.
Seeks to increase recycling/closure rates significantly and reduce landfill disposal.
Introduces regulatory oversight, reporting, labeling, and a dedicated advisory board to guide implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.