Environment (Recycling) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 614: Requires producers of packaging products sold in New Jersey to adopt and implement packaging product stewardship plans.

S 614, the "Packaging Product Stewardship Act," requires manufacturers and sellers of packaging products sold in New Jersey to create and implement plans for managing packaging waste. These plans must cover the full lifecycle of discarded packaging - ensuring collection, reuse, recycling, and proper disposal through environmentally sound methods, while reducing waste and increasing recycled content in packaging. Producers must submit these plans to the Environmental Protection Department within 180 days of the law taking effect, prioritizing existing recycling infrastructure and consumer convenience. The bill is currently pending review by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee after its January 2026 introduction.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 654: Establishes conditions for net metering for authorized food waste recycling facilities.

This bill requires electric power suppliers to offer net metering to authorized food waste recycling facilities for electricity they generate using Class I renewable energy. It directly affects facilities defined as Class C recycling centers authorized to handle food waste under state law. Key provisions include crediting facilities for excess electricity generated (with annual rollover), and offering two compensation options: payment for remaining credits or real-time billing at a set rate ($0.03/kWh above residential tariff). The bill clarifies these facilities won't be considered public utilities when selling excess power to end-use customers within their service area.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Solar Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1782: Establishes School Plastics Upcycling Grant Program in DEP to provide proportional awards to eligible schools based on pro rata share of plastics collected, by each school, for upcycling purposes.

This bill creates a New Jersey grant program for public and private K-12 schools to collect plastic waste, donate it to approved recyclers, and receive funding proportional to their plastic collection to purchase new school furniture made from those materials. Schools must document plastic collection activities from the previous school year and donate the plastics to authorized upcyclers, who reprocess them into items like desks or chairs. The Environmental Protection Department would administer the program, distributing annual grants based on each school’s share of collected plastics relative to all participating schools. Schools use these funds exclusively to buy furniture produced through the upcycling process, with grants adjusted annually based on plastic collection data.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Recycling

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 663: Requires solid waste management districts to develop strategy to reduce food waste; requires DEP to adopt certain rules and regulations regarding composting facilities.

S 663 requires New Jersey's solid waste management districts (including counties and the Hackensack Meadowlands District) to create a plan reducing food waste by 50% by 2035 compared to 2022 levels. Districts must add this plan to their solid waste management strategy for approval by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP must also publish practical methods for achieving this goal, such as increasing food donations and composting, and establish a tiered regulatory system for composting facilities to support organic waste recycling.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 677: Requires certain State-funded construction projects to utilize plastic construction materials that contain certain amounts of postconsumer recycled content.

This bill requires all plastic construction materials (over 50% plastic by cost) used in State-funded projects by government entities (state, county, or municipal) to contain at least 10% postconsumer recycled content for two years after enactment, increasing to 15% thereafter. It exempts projects if compliant materials would raise costs by 25% or aren’t available in needed quantities. The bill applies to materials like pipes, panels, or insulation incorporated into construction projects. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved in P.L.2025, c.308.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 673: "Packaging and Paper Product Stewardship Act."

This bill requires producers of packaging and paper products sold in New Jersey to implement environmentally sound management plans for their products. It creates a system where producers must join or form Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to manage the end-of-life disposal of covered products through recycling, composting, or reuse - excluding landfilling and certain energy recovery methods. Key provisions include defining "covered products" (like food containers, bags, and beverage packaging), setting recycling rate targets, and mandating that PROs ensure compliance with environmental standards, particularly in overburdened communities. The law shifts responsibility for waste management from municipalities to producers, aiming to reduce landfill waste and promote sustainable product lifecycle practices.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 682: Revises various provisions of MLUL; provides for certain model applications and checklists.

This bill (S 682) revises New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) to modernize land development processes. It adds new goals like promoting renewable energy use and recycling, clarifies timelines for application reviews, and requires the Department of Community Affairs to create standardized model application forms and checklists for municipalities to adopt. These model forms would help streamline how developers submit applications and how local governments review them. The changes directly affect developers, municipal planning boards, and local governments by providing clearer, more uniform procedures for land use approvals. The bill focuses on improving efficiency in the development review process without altering core land use policies.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 563: Exempts sales of reusable carryout bags from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts sales of reusable carryout bags from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects retailers selling qualifying bags and customers purchasing them, removing the tax on these items. A "reusable carryout bag" is defined as one made from specific machine-washable materials (like cloth, polypropylene, or nylon), with stitched handles, and designed for multiple uses. The exemption applies to all sales made four months after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 681: "Electronic Cigarette Extended Producer Responsibility Act."

S 681, the "Electronic Cigarette Extended Producer Responsibility Act," requires e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors in New Jersey to form a producer responsibility organization (PRO) within two years. This PRO must manage the collection, recycling, reuse, and environmentally sound disposal of discarded e-cigarettes, including single-use devices and batteries. The law directly affects e-cigarette producers and distributors by shifting end-of-life waste management costs and responsibilities from local governments and consumers to the industry. Key provisions mandate the PRO to follow environmental standards, maintain financial accountability, and operate under state approval to ensure effective waste handling.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1927: Exempts certain compostable items from ban on single-use plastic carryout products.

This bill amends New Jersey's single-use plastic carryout bag ban to exempt certain compostable bags. Specifically, it removes from the definition of "plastic carryout bag" bags made entirely from organic materials that are certified by a third-party verification organization as compostable in municipal or industrial facilities. This change directly affects stores selling these certified compostable bags, allowing them to offer these items without violating the ban. The exemption applies only to bags meeting the specified certification standards, not all biodegradable products. The bill does not alter the overall ban on conventional plastic carryout bags.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

All environment bills