State Recycling-Related Bills

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Below we have summarized some of the most important recent recycling and waste legislation that has been passed, state by state:

State

Bill

Category

Breakdown of the Bill
Colorado HB 1162 Plastics ban Bans single-use plastic bags at most stores and EPS takeout containers at most restaurants.
Connecticut SB 928 Minimum recycled content Directs the department of Energy and Environmental Protection to create a plan to implement a minimum recycled content policy.
Connecticut SB1037 Bottles bill Doubles deposit value to 10 cents and expands types of containers accepted.
Louisiana SB 97 Chemical recycling Classifies advanced recycling as a manufacturing process rather than solid waste management.
Maine LD 1541 EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) Covers most types of consumer packaging.

Producers will pay into a stewardship organization; local governments could use funds for packaging management costs.
Maryland HB 0164 Market development Encourages businesses and state agencies to develop markets for recycled materials and products.
Maryland HB 264 Organics diversion Requires covered entities generating at least two tons of organic waste per week to arrange for disposal alternatives – such as reduction, donation, animal feed, composting or anaerobic digestion – by January 2023. The threshold expands to generators of one ton per week in 2024.
Oregon SB 582 EPR The law establishes a packaging EPR program by 2025. It also calls for other updates such as a standardized material list and a labeling task force meant to evaluate items’ recyclability.
Rhode Island H 5923 Incineration Restricts “high heat” medical waste processing facilities.
Rhode Island S 0155 Plastics ban Restricts the use of single-use straws in food service establishments.
Virginia SB 1164 Plastics ban / chemicals recycling Classifies advanced recycling as a manufacturing process rather than solid waste management / Bans EPS foam foodservice containers.
Washington SB 5022 Plastics ban / PCR Increases the requirement for minimum % recycled content in packaging, bans some types of EPS containers and makes single-use foodservice ware only available on request.
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