Bill > H8

This bill aims to reduce and better manage single-use waste in North Carolina through several key provisions. It requires all state departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local school administrative units to purchase and use materials with recyclable or compostable content whenever economically feasible. The bill mandates annual reporting by these entities to the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service, detailing the amounts and types of recyclable and compostable materials purchased and collected. Additionally, the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill is tasked with conducting a comprehensive study on food service ware, examining environmental impacts of plastic pollution, current recycling requirements, recycling markets, and potential legislative approaches to reduce plastic waste. The bill also requires the Legislative Services Officer to evaluate and implement measures to reduce food service ware in legislative operations, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to pilot a program eliminating single-use food service ware in five of its facilities. Furthermore, the bill expands regulations on waste management by introducing a new "beneficial use determination" process that allows the Department of Environmental Quality to authorize alternative uses for non-hazardous solid waste, potentially promoting recycling and reducing landfill usage. The bill defines "food service ware" as one-time use products for serving or transporting food and beverages, excluding compostable or recyclable items.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H8