Environment (Recycling)

A RESOLUTION recognizing the importance of voluntary community based resource recovery efforts through the RESCUER initiative and encouraging counties and municipal corporations in this state to explore voluntary resource recovery programs utilizing digital platforms to facilitate food sharing within local communities; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to waste management, so as to enact the "Pollution Prevention and Producer Responsibility Act of 2026"; to provide for definitions; to provide for the creation of a Producer Responsibility Advisory Board; to provide for the development and publication and distribution of recyclable covered materials lists and approved recycling processes; to provide for the development and publication and distribution of compostable covered materials lists; to provide for a reuse financial assistance program; to provide for the reduction of toxins in covered materials; to provide for certain reports; to provide for enforcement; to provide for rule making; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

SR 610 creates a Senate Study Committee to evaluate Georgia's recycling system, focusing on challenges like infrastructure gaps, contamination in recyclables, and opportunities to grow in-state markets for materials such as glass, aluminum, and plastics. The committee, composed of eight Senate members and five industry experts (including representatives from manufacturers, recycling facilities, and state agencies), will study current recycling practices, barriers to efficiency, and potential solutions. It must submit recommendations by December 1, 2026, to improve recycling rates and support economic development through better material recovery. The resolution does not enact new laws but establishes a process for gathering data and industry input to inform future policy.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 8 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to solid waste management, so as to require the recycling of solar panels; to prohibit the discarding or disposing of solar panels by any manner other than by delivery to a collection or recovered materials processing facility or other recycling center that accepts solar panels for recycling; to provide for definitions; to provide for penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.