Bill > HB0600

This bill, known as the "Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act," establishes a producer responsibility program for packaging materials to promote recycling, reuse, and composting, thereby creating jobs and reducing landfill waste. Producers of goods will be required to join or form a "producer responsibility organization" (PRO), which will then develop and implement a plan to manage the end-of-life of their packaging. This plan will involve conducting needs assessments to understand current recycling infrastructure and costs, and will outline strategies for reducing packaging, increasing reuse and composting, and ensuring service providers are reimbursed for their work. The bill defines "covered materials" as packaging materials, with specific exemptions for certain types like those for long-term storage or medical products, and establishes an advisory board to guide the program. Producers will pay dues to their PRO based on factors like the quantity and type of packaging they introduce into the state, with incentives for using recycled content and prioritizing reuse. The act also sets timelines for the establishment of PROs, the submission of plans, and the commencement of producer participation, with penalties for non-compliance.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0600&ga=114