The New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee has advanced the Packaging Product Stewardship Act, aimed at significantly reducing packaging waste in the US state. <\/p>\n
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The legislation, sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, introduces an extended producer responsibility (EPR) system for packaging manufacturers and distributors to manage the life cycle of these products.<\/p>\n
The bill, S-3398, mandates that certain manufacturers and distributors implement stewardship plans to decrease packaging waste and enhance the state\u2019s recycling and solid waste infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Producers can either individually comply with the bill\u2019s provisions or form producer responsibility organisations (PROs) to collectively submit a stewardship plan.<\/p>\n
These PROs would be responsible for ensuring compliance with the plan and the bill\u2019s requirements.<\/p>\n
The legislation aims for a 50% reduction in the cumulative amount of single-use packaging products over a ten-year period.<\/p>\n
By 2034, all packaging products within the state must be compostable or recyclable, and by next year, the state aims for at least a 65% recycling rate for packaging products.<\/p>\n
Within two years of the bill\u2019s effective date, the first PRO must conduct a statewide needs assessment to identify the steps and investments required to meet the new recycling and waste reduction targets.<\/p>\n
This includes estimating costs for system upgrades, among other measures. <\/p>\n
The legislation also calls for the establishment of a \u2018Packaging Reduction and Recycling Fund\u2019 within the state\u2019s Department of the Treasury to further support the bill\u2019s objectives.<\/p>\n
Smith said: \u201cThis bill represents a comprehensive effort to ensure that the burden of managing the waste that results from packaging does not fall entirely onto consumers, as well as to put us on a path toward decreasing the amount of packaging waste that ends up in our landfills.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy ensuring that these companies are playing a part in the management of the waste they create, we would incentivise efficiency in packaging and reduce the burden placed on local government, a burden that is currently paid for by the tax dollars of residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
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