Environment (Waste Management) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5286: Allows plastic recyclable material derived from renewable biomass to meet postconsumer recycled content requirements for containers and packaging products.

This New Jersey bill allows plastic recyclable material made from renewable biomass to count toward the state's recycled content requirements for containers and packaging. By amending existing environmental laws, the legislation expands the definition of "postconsumer recycled content" to include these plant-based plastics alongside traditional recycled materials. The rule applies to manufacturers and distributors of rigid plastic containers, glass containers, paper and plastic carryout bags, and plastic trash bags sold in the state. This change aims to provide more flexibility in meeting recycling targets by recognizing newer types of sustainable plastic inputs.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 26, 2026

S 4517: Exempts municipalities from stream cleaning permit fees.

This bill exempts municipalities in New Jersey from paying fees associated with stream cleaning permits. It directly affects local governments that wish to remove debris, sediments, or garbage from streams within their jurisdiction. The legislation requires these municipalities to submit a written notice and a certification from a licensed professional engineer detailing the project scope and confirming that work will not alter the natural stream bed or banks. Additionally, the bill sets specific conditions for sediment removal, such as limiting projects to streams that are not endangered species habitats and ensuring the stream corridor is located entirely within the municipality's boundaries. State agencies retain the authority to review applications and deny permits within 15 to 60 days if they identify circumstances that mandate stopping the work.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Waste Management Wildlife

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5352: Revises minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled content in certain plastic trash bags.

This bill modifies New Jersey's existing rules for plastic trash bags by lowering the required amount of recycled material they must contain. Manufacturers of thicker plastic bags, specifically those 1.00 mil thick or more, will no longer need to include 40 percent postconsumer recycled content, as the new requirement is reduced to 20 percent. The law also adjusts recycled content targets for thinner bags, increasing the minimums for 0.70 to 0.80 mil bags from five to 10 percent and for 0.80 to 1.00 mil bags from 10 to 20 percent. These changes apply to all plastic trash bags sold in the state, with the exception of bags designed for hazardous or regulated medical waste. The legislation takes effect immediately upon introduction.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

ACR 131: Urges DEP and EDA to establish plastics recycling marketplace.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that urges the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Economic Development Authority to establish a plastics recycling marketplace. It calls for the Department of Environmental Protection to use State Recycling Fund money to research how to increase recycling of single-use plastics, while asking the Economic Development Authority to encourage and fund the creation of such a marketplace. The resolution defines single-use plastics as items like bottles, bags, and food containers designed for one-time use and highlights concerns about plastic waste pollution in the environment. This document is a formal recommendation rather than a law, so it does not create binding requirements but instead asks state agencies to take specific actions to address plastic waste management.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 8, 2026

S 4058: "Construction Containment and Pollution Prevention Act"; requires contractors to use containment devices to prevent release of certain pollutants outside of worksites.

This bill requires construction contractors in New Jersey to use containment devices like vacuums, tarps, and enclosures to prevent dust, debris, and microplastics from escaping worksites and entering the environment. It mandates daily cleanup, proper waste disposal, and the installation of stormwater filters, while also requiring contractors to educate their employees on these requirements. The Department of Community Affairs or local officials will inspect worksites for compliance, and violators face escalating fines starting with a warning for the first offense.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Waste Management Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 4021: Requires certain businesses to submit excess food reduction plan to DEP; provides CBT credit to eligible businesses that reduce excess food by 25 percent.

This bill requires businesses with at least 50 employees in New Jersey that cater or order food to submit an excess food reduction plan to the Department of Environmental Protection for approval. The plan must outline specific strategies to reduce food waste, such as limiting food orders, improving distribution methods, minimizing landfill disposal, and increasing composting or food donation. Businesses that successfully reduce excess food by 25 percent will receive a tax credit against their business privilege tax to offset costs associated with food recycling and donation programs. The bill also mandates that approved businesses submit biannual reports to the Governor and Legislature on the effectiveness of their food reduction efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Recycling Waste Management

signed · New Jersey · Senate Apr 8, 2026

S 3870: Modifies certain CAFRA permit review requirements for nuclear facilities.

This bill modifies permit review requirements under New Jersey's Coastal Area Facility Review Act to address nuclear energy facilities. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner to evaluate whether a nuclear facility's radioactive waste storage and disposal methods are safe, comply with Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards, and do not endanger life or the environment. Currently, the commissioner only assesses waste disposal, but this change expands the review to include storage methods as well. The bill applies specifically to nuclear energy generation facilities operating in the state. No fiscal impact is expected from this legislative change.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Nuclear Coastal & Flood Protection Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3958: Requires DOH and DEP to develop best practices, and certain health care providers to develop plan, concerning medical waste management.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create best practices for managing medical waste, focusing on public health and environmental protection. It directly affects hospitals (licensed under state law) and medical offices (non-licensed facilities providing medical services), mandating each to develop a written waste management plan based on those best practices. The plan must include clear guidelines for personal protective equipment use, visible waste sorting methods with signage, and instructions for properly identifying and sorting waste at its source. Additionally, facilities must train relevant employees on implementing these plans. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3759: Requires large organic waste generators to separate and recycle organic waste.

This bill requires large food waste generators (like restaurants, hospitals, supermarkets, and farms producing 52+ tons annually) to separate organic waste at the source and recycle it at authorized facilities within 25 miles. If no nearby facility exists or recycling costs exceed disposal costs by 10%, generators may dispose of waste or apply for a waiver. Violations carry civil penalties of $250-$1,000 per offense, with ongoing violations treated as separate offenses. The law amends existing waste management rules to expand recycling obligations for commercial food waste producers.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2422: Establishes grant program in DEP to provide financial assistance to municipalities for infrastructure and other physical upgrades to certain municipally owned sanitary landfill facilities closed before June 1987; appropriates $10 million.

This bill establishes a $10 million grant program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to help municipalities upgrade improperly closed sanitary landfills (those shut down before June 1, 1987, without proper closure). It directly affects municipalities owning such landfills by providing financial assistance for specific safety upgrades, including covers, methane monitoring systems, and leachate collection. The program requires municipalities to apply with project details, prioritizes projects with the greatest environmental and health impact, and mandates annual reports on fund usage. Grants cover only costs not offset by federal funding, aiming to meet state closure standards and reduce pollution risks from these aging sites.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Waste Management

All environment bills