New York’s Renewed Push on Biosolids Reflects Growing National Trend

Last year, New York Lawmakers put forth a bill to place a five-year moratorium on spreading chemical-laden sewage sludge on New York’s farmland, an attempt that was strong but unsuccessful. Now, lawmakers and environmental advocates are hoping to make progress on the bill this year, joining the issue that is back in the national spotlight.

Recently, Spectrum News reported that “Seventy agricultural businesses and organizations issued a letter to members of the state Legislature, Gov. Kathy Hochul and other state leaders pushing them to pass the bill proposing a five-year moratorium on land spreading sewage sludge.”

The proposal urges the state and Legislature to enact a moratorium on the spreading of biosolids, assess the extent of past activities, prioritize protections for affected farmers and communities, and invest in alternative sewage sludge disposal methods.

This all comes from mounting evidence that PFAS, as discussed in previous posts here, are found in biosolids disposed of via land application, with detrimental effects linked to serious human and animal health impacts. In Texas, for example, PFAS in biosolids were blamed for killing livestock, leading to a class action lawsuit against the biosolids manager.

What is happening in New York reflects a growing trend across the country. Policy makers across the US are increasing efforts to address sewage sludge and PFAS contamination at the source. According to the National Caucus of Environmental Legislatures, last year, “at least 203 bills were introduced in 37 states to curb PFAS use and contamination across a range of sources.” And specific to PFAS and biosolids, Safer States: Bill Tracker reports that 9 states, including New York, have introduced 14 policies in 2026 so far. But as upstream bans take time to come into effect, and as manufacturers abroad continue to use PFAS in products sold in the USA, PFAS will be in biosolids for years to come.

“PFAS testing has been a core part of our work since 2019, and it’s great to see New York representatives responding to the issue. We’re proud to have been aware of this early on and support the move from land app and landfilling to beneficial reuse via biochar,” Dario Presezzi, CEO, Bioforcetech.

States like Florida and Maine, among others, are taking a hard stance on the use of biosolids on land. According to WUFT News and Public Media for North Central Florida, North Florida will “close their gates to feces-filled trucks by 2028”.

New York State is primed for a new solution. New York’s moratorium and the bills being introduced around the country reflect a broader shift that opens the door to new possibilities, moving from managing risk to rethinking the system entirely.

“Our research conducted during a NYSERDA Phase 1 Natural Carbon Solutions grant project last summer showed Bioforcetech how pivotal this moment can be for New York in both biosolids management and the effort to decarbonize concrete. It can be easy for municipalities to see this as a strain on their options, but it is also an opportunity for their state to enable a transition production of a value add product that is free of PFAS. In a state that already landfills nearly 70% of their biosolids, there is an opportunity to engage with state of the art solutions that open new uses for biosolids as a biochar,” said Garrett Benisch, Chief Development Officer, Bioforcetech. 

Bioforcetech has created a new pathway forward where biosolids are no longer a burden. Our system transforms biosolids into a valuable carbon-free material while eliminating tipping fees, removing contaminants, and unlocking a broad range of applications for a newly transformed material. 

As this trend continues to grow,  municipalities will need viable, scalable options for managing biosolids. Learn how Bioforcetech is already helping communities navigate this shift with practical, forward-looking solutions.