A 1872 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Exempts community gardens operating on-site composting systems or other systems of managing organic waste from certain DEP permits under certain conditions.

This bill exempts community gardens using on-site composting systems from certain environmental permits required under New Jersey's Solid Waste Management Act, Recycling Act, Air Pollution Control Act, and Water Pollution Control Act. It applies to gardens that accept no more than 200 gallons of source-separated food waste weekly (with larger properties allowed 200 gallons per 5,000 square feet) and use all generated compost exclusively on-site or distribute it per DEP rules for Class C recyclables. The exemption covers permits related to waste management, air, and water pollution, directly benefiting community gardens by reducing regulatory burden for small-scale composting.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

General Assembly Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action May 4, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was reported out of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee with amendments that broaden the scope of materials community gardens may compost on-site under a permit exemption. The key change replaces 'source separated food waste' with 'organic waste' and provides a new, broader definition covering any material that can become usable compost, including food scraps, soiled paper, and plant trimmings. This expands what types of waste qualify for the DEP permit exemption beyond just food.

Scope change

The permit exemption for community garden composting systems now covers a broader category of waste (organic waste) rather than being limited to source separated food waste, allowing materials like soiled paper and plant trimmings to be composted on-site without DEP permits.

SCOPE

The volume limit provision now applies to 'organic waste' instead of 'source separated food waste,' broadening the types of materials a community garden composting system may accept under the permit exemption.

DEFINITION

The definition formerly called 'food waste' (which cross-referenced a specific statutory definition in P.L.2020, c.24) is replaced with 'organic waste,' defined as any material found in the waste stream that can be broken down into or become part of usable compost, including but not limited to food scraps, soiled paper, and plant trimmings. This is a significant broadening beyond just food.

TECHNICAL

The bill's explanatory statement section was removed, which is standard when a bill advances to committee report status.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the General Assembly by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 4, 2026

Committee

Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed by the Assembly (71-0-0)

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee

lower

3 primary · 2 co-sponsors