Bill > H798

This bill aims to reduce solid waste, increase recycling, and generate municipal cost savings in the Commonwealth. Key provisions include: 1. The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will establish annual performance targets for municipal solid waste reduction based on pounds of solid waste disposed per resident per year, in consultation with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. 2. Municipalities must report their annual solid waste disposal data to MassDEP, and solid waste management facilities must remove and divert "waste ban materials" (items banned from disposal) to the greatest extent possible, with enforcement action taken for noncompliance. 3. Haulers who collect waste and recyclables must register with MassDEP, provide comprehensive and convenient collection services, and document their efforts to recover banned materials. Haulers may face fines and facility bans for excessive contamination. 4. Fines collected will fund a "Zero Waste Fund" to support municipal and other recycling, composting, and zero waste programs. MassDEP will also collect a $1.50/ton surcharge on all disposed waste, which will also go into the Zero Waste Fund. 5. The bill empowers MassDEP to enforce waste bans on generators, haulers, and disposal facilities, and requires annual reporting on statewide solid waste management.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H798