Environment (Recycling) in New Jersey

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1861: Requires solid waste management district to develop strategy to reduce food waste; requires DEP to adopt certain rules and regulations regarding composting facilities.

This bill requires all New Jersey solid waste management districts (including counties and the Hackensack Meadowlands District) to create a strategy reducing food waste by 50% by 2035 compared to 2022 levels. Districts must submit these strategies as amendments to their waste management plans, counting food donations, composting, and anaerobic digestion toward the goal. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must publish a list of actionable measures for districts (like donation programs, composting infrastructure, and public campaigns) and establish tiered regulations for composting facilities. The policy directly affects local waste management systems and aims to divert food waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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

A 3658: Requires State entities to recycle certain materials and provide recycling bins in State buildings.

This bill requires all New Jersey state government buildings - including offices, agencies, and state universities - to separate and recycle specific materials like aluminum, cardboard, glass, paper, and plastic waste. State entities must provide recycling bins, signage, and education for both employees and the public, and arrange for collection and transportation of recyclables through licensed vendors. The rule does not apply to state parks or forests using a "carry-in, carry-out" trash program. The Department of the Treasury will create compliance guidance and coordinate with courts and the legislature to ensure all state branches follow the requirements.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4041: Establishes "Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Task Force" to study ways to safely store, reuse, recycle, and dispose of used electric vehicle batteries.

New Jersey's Assembly Bill A4041 establishes a 11-member "Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Task Force" within the Department of Environmental Protection. The task force will study safe methods for storing, reusing, recycling, and disposing of used EV batteries, including analyzing current recycling facilities, international policies, and second-life battery applications. It must develop recommendations for state legislation, programs, and infrastructure by a two-year deadline, holding public hearings across the state. The bill directly affects EV manufacturers, battery recyclers, state environmental agencies, and future EV battery management policies.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Recycling Electric Vehicles

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

A 2512: Directs DEP to select consultant to perform Statewide needs assessment regarding recycling of packaging products; establishes "Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council" in DEP; appropriates $500,000.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hire a consultant to conduct a statewide assessment of recycling, composting, and reuse conditions for packaging products. It establishes a "Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council" within the DEP and appropriates $500,000 for the assessment. The study will evaluate current packaging recycling rates, collection systems (including curbside and drop-off), waste disposal data, and infrastructure gaps across covered entities like schools, government facilities, and residential buildings. The findings will help identify needs and gaps in the state's packaging recycling system.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 338: Authorizes voluntary donation of expired food or food waste to farmers; authorizes donations if farmer waives liability.

This bill allows grocery stores, restaurants, and other retail sellers to voluntarily donate expired food or food waste (like items past their sell-by date or spoiled leftovers) to farmers for use as animal feed. Farmers must sign a liability waiver acknowledging the risks of using expired food and releasing the business from legal responsibility. The bill also directs the Farm Liaison to help coordinate donations between retailers and farmers by developing networks and sharing information about available food. It directly affects retail businesses and farmers by creating a legal pathway for food waste donation while limiting business liability. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 311: Requires certain facilities that store or process automotive shredder residue to obtain DEP permit; defines "hazardous waste" to include automotive shredder residue.

This bill requires scrap processing facilities that handle automotive shredder residue (ASR) - the non-recyclable material left after shredding cars and metal scrap - to obtain a permit from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It explicitly defines ASR as "hazardous waste," meaning facilities must follow DEP-set limits on storage volume, height, and duration, and cannot store ASR near homes or critical infrastructure. The law amends existing waste management statutes to include these requirements and mandates the DEP to create rules for implementation. It directly affects scrap processing facilities statewide that currently handle ASR without permitting.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 487: Exempts sales of energy-saving products and services from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts the sales tax on specific energy-saving products and services when purchased by consumers or businesses. It covers items like LED light bulbs, insulation, window weather stripping, tankless water heaters, and furnace filters, which are defined as products or services primarily designed to reduce energy use in homes and buildings. The tax exemption applies to retail sales made after the bill takes effect, removing the sales tax burden on these items. This change directly benefits homeowners and businesses looking to install or buy energy-efficient upgrades.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget Tax Incentives Energy Efficiency Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 609: Establishes Statewide targets to reduce disposal of organic waste in landfills; requires DEP to adopt regulations to achieve targets.

This bill sets statewide targets to reduce organic waste sent to landfills: a 50% reduction from 2016 levels by 2027 and a 75% reduction by 2032. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create regulations within 18 months to achieve these goals, which may mandate local governments to set waste-reduction rules for businesses and impose reasonable penalties for noncompliance. The regulations must also ensure at least 20% of recoverable edible food is redirected from disposal by 2035. Local governments may charge fees to cover costs of implementing these rules, and the DEP must report progress by July 2027.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2359: "Mattress Stewardship Act;" requires mattress producers to join stewardship organization and implement mattress stewardship program.

S 2359, the "Mattress Stewardship Act," requires mattress producers (including manufacturers and importers) to join a nonprofit stewardship organization within one year of the law's effective date. These organizations must create a program to manage discarded mattresses through environmentally sound methods like recycling, renovation, or proper disposal, covering all mattresses sold in New Jersey regardless of brand. Retailers and renovators selling mattresses must also register with the stewardship organization. The program will be funded by a small fee added to mattress purchases ("stewardship assessment"), ensuring costs for collection and disposal are covered without direct consumer fees.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 666: Requires paint producers to implement or participate in paint stewardship program.

This bill, the "Architectural Paint Stewardship Act," requires paint producers (manufacturers selling interior or exterior paint in 5-gallon containers or smaller) to create or join a statewide program for managing leftover paint after consumer use. The program must establish convenient collection sites (ensuring 90% of residents have access within 15 miles), prioritize reuse and recycling over disposal, and cover costs for collection, transportation, and processing. It shifts responsibility for paint waste management from local governments and taxpayers to paint producers, aiming to reduce disposal costs and environmental impact. The law applies specifically to architectural paint, excluding industrial or specialty coatings.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

All environment bills