Albany – Today, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy signed into law a county-wide ban on microbeads – those small, plastic pellets found in some body wash, toothpastes and soaps.

For Immediate Release: December 4, 2015

Microbeads Banned in Albany County

County Exec. McCoy Shows Leadership, Signs Microbead Ban into Law

Albany – Today, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy signed into law a county-wide ban on microbeads – those small, plastic pellets found in some body wash, toothpastes and soaps. Championed by County Legislator Bryan Clenahan, Local Law L will serve to protect consumers and residents from this unnecessary plastic waste. Republicans and Democrats from urban, suburban, and rural areas across the state have recovered the state Senate’s fumble and carried it across the goal line by achieving multiple local microbead bans since this past summer.

The following statement is attributable to Environmental Health Director Saima Anjam:

“We applaud Albany County Executive Dan McCoy’s steadfast approach at protecting his constituents from toxics. His signature on Local Law L, a bill sponsored by Legislator Clenahan, to ban the sale of personal care products containing microbeads sends a clear message to state leaders, particularly the Senate, that this is a public health issue that they too must address. Executive McCoy and Legislator Clenahan have shown true leadership in working for the people and making this ban a reality. We urge the Senate to take a page from Albany County’s playbook and score with a statewide ban on microbeads during the 2016 legislative session.”

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