Bill > S471

This bill aims to reduce waste and recycling costs in the commonwealth by establishing a producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. The key provisions include: - Requiring producers of covered materials sold or distributed in the commonwealth to form a producer responsibility organization to operate a packaging and paper products program, which will assess and collect payments from producers based on the type and weight of covered materials they sell or distribute. - Allowing producers to develop and operate alternative collection programs for certain covered materials, which can offset their payment obligations under the main program. - Establishing a sustainable packaging trust fund to cover the administrative costs of the program for the Department of Environmental Protection. - Requiring the producer responsibility organization to provide convenient and free consumer access to collection services or facilities for all covered entities in the commonwealth, and to achieve minimum recycling rate targets over time. - Authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate regulations, set fee structures, and enforce the requirements of the program. The overall goal is to shift more of the responsibility and costs for managing packaging and paper waste onto the producers of those materials, in order to incentivize more sustainable packaging design and increased recycling rates.