The New York Assembly and Senate both passed legislation to establish a statewide pharmaceutical stewardship program during the 2017 Legislative Session that required chain pharmacies with at least ten locations to offer mail-back envelopes to consumers for the return of unused and unwanted pharmaceuticals. While supporting the bill’s objective of reducing the potential for opioid abuse by providing a mechanism for the public to properly dispose of unused drugs, the bill was vetoed by Governor Cuomo due to concerns over how the bill would be implemented. In his veto message (Appendix A), the Governor noted that the bill disproportionately burdened chain pharmacies with the costs associated with take-back and disposal and allowed a portion of those costs to be passed to consumers by authorizing chain pharmacies to charge up to a $2 fee for a pre-addressed mail-back envelope. In the veto message, Governor Cuomo recognized that the bill’s intent was laudable and directed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to meet with stakeholders and investigate the feasibility of creating and implementing a statewide pharmaceutical stewardship program “provided by manufacturers, at no cost to consumers” (Appendix A). Based on characteristics unique to New York State, DEC’s substantial experience with other product stewardship legislation, and the outcomes of other programs, DEC in partnership with the State Department of Health (DOH) to prepare this report and formulated its recommendation.