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Issue · Environment

Environment (Waste Management)

Every environment bill, vote, and legislator stance in Rhode Island, automatically classified by Maddy, our AI policy reader.

RI Legislature US Congress
Total bills
8
2026 Regular Session
Top supporter
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no data yet
Top opponent
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no data yet
Ranked legislators
0
0 support · 0 oppose
Showing 8 of 8 bills

All environment bills

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2802: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION

This bill prohibits the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation from using artificial turf to cover compacted solid waste at sanitary landfills, with an exemption for turf already installed before July 1, 2026. It also bans the use of organic materials like wood, paper, and yard waste for landfill cover unless approved as a final layer, and establishes a pilot program to test grass or plant mixes with pollinators as an alternative cover material. The Resource Recovery Corporation must submit annual reports on its activities and include data on artificial turf disposal volumes, while also reporting on the pilot program results by January 1, 2028. Facilities that violate the artificial turf prohibition face fines between $2,500 and $5,000 paid to the local city or town.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts artificial turf and organic materials at landfills, promoting pollinator-friendly plant mixes to protect environment and reduce pollution.85% confidence
Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management
died · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7736: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION

This bill prohibits Rhode Island landfills from using artificial turf to cover compacted solid waste after July 1, 2026, except for existing installations installed before that date. It requires the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRC) to track artificial turf disposal volumes and include annual reports on this data. The bill also establishes a pilot program testing native plants and pollinator-friendly grass mixes as landfill cover, with results due by January 1, 2028. These changes apply to all sanitary landfills operated under RIRC's oversight.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits artificial turf landfill cover after 2026 and mandates native plant/pollinator pilot program, advancing conservation and reducing synthetic material use.85% confidence
Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management
in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2656: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING AND PAPER ACT

SB 2656 creates a program requiring manufacturers of packaging and paper products to cover the costs of recycling those materials. It directly affects companies that produce consumer packaging (like food containers) and paper goods (like cardboard). The key provision shifts the financial responsibility for recycling from taxpayers to producers, who must fund collection, processing, and recycling programs for their products. This aims to improve recycling rates for these items by making producers accountable for their end-of-life management. The bill is currently in the Senate Environment and Agriculture committee after its introduction on February 27, 2026.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates producers to fund recycling programs, directly improving recycling rates and reducing waste pollution per bill summary, aligning with conservation and pollution control goals.90% confidence
Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management
in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2441: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- COMPOSTING AND ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION

SB 2441 imposes a $2-per-ton fee on solid waste disposal in Rhode Island, collected from waste haulers and landfill operators. Revenue from this fee funds a Compost Fund that awards grants to support composting facilities, organic waste diversion programs, and municipal waste reduction initiatives. Municipalities must opt into the fee program to qualify for related grants. The bill directly affects waste disposal companies, participating municipalities, and organizations seeking funding for composting infrastructure, aiming to reduce landfill use as Rhode Island's central landfill is projected to fill by 2043.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $2/ton fee (tax) on waste disposal, revenue funds Compost Fund for grants. Directly establishes new revenue stream for government spending, advancing fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes waste disposal fee to fund composting/grants, reducing landfill waste and advancing organic waste diversion for environmental protection.95% confidence
Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management
signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2438: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL WASTE RECYCLING AND REFUSE DISPOSAL

Amends certain provisions relative to school waste recycling and refuse disposal and requires reports of waste audits by educational entities and reports of program participation by vendors.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates school waste recycling programs and audits, promoting resource conservation and reduced landfill waste - directly advances environmental protection through waste management requirements.95% confidence
Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7675: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- COMPOSTING AND ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION

HB 7675 establishes a $2-per-ton surcharge on solid waste disposal (paid by waste haulers and landfill operators) to fund composting initiatives. The revenue flows into a dedicated "Compost Fund," which supports three grant programs: competitive grants for composting projects, municipal waste diversion grants (available only to towns that opt-in), and infrastructure development. The bill directly affects waste disposal entities and municipalities, aiming to reduce landfill use by incentivizing organic waste diversion. Key provisions include quarterly surcharge collection starting in 2027, annual adjustments tied to inflation or a 20% increase, and requiring funds to stay within the Compost Fund rather than returning to the general state budget.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes $2/ton surcharge on waste disposal to fund composting initiatives via dedicated Compost Fund, directly increasing state revenue allocation for environmental programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds composting initiatives via $2/ton waste surcharge to reduce landfill use, directly advancing waste diversion and environmental protection through dedicated grant programs.95% confidence
Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget Recycling Waste Management
died · Rhode Island · House May 27, 2026

HB 7910: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING AND PAPER ACT

HB 7910 creates a program requiring companies that produce packaging and paper products (like food containers, boxes, and paper goods) to manage their recycling. It directly affects manufacturers and brands by shifting the financial and operational responsibility for recycling these materials from taxpayers and local governments to the producers themselves. Key provisions mandate that producers fund, organize, and oversee the recycling system for their packaging and paper waste, rather than relying on public recycling programs. This policy change aims to increase recycling rates and reduce landfill waste by making producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesShifts recycling costs from taxpayers to producers, reducing state budget burden and promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentShifts recycling responsibility to producers, reducing waste and pollution through extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.95% confidence
Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management