Bill > H859

This bill aims to improve plastic bottles and their recycling. It does this by: 1. Prohibiting the sale of single-use beverage containers with plastic caps, unless the cap is designed to separate from the container or can be consumed while still attached. 2. Establishing minimum recycled content requirements for plastic beverage containers, starting at 15% in 2020, increasing to 20% in 2022, and 25% in 2024. The Department of Environmental Protection can adjust these standards based on factors like market conditions, supply, and technology. 3. Allowing beverage containers that are reused and refilled at least 5 times to be exempt from the recycled content requirements. 4. Imposing fines of up to $100,000 on product manufacturers who fail to meet the recycled content standards, and allowing for prosecution for fraud if they provide false compliance information. The bill aims to reduce plastic waste and increase the use of recycled materials in plastic beverage containers, thereby improving the overall sustainability of the industry.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H859