Bill > H1036

This bill aims to reduce residential waste disposal in Massachusetts by establishing a comprehensive waste management strategy. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with creating performance standards for waste reduction by July 1, 2023, aligned with the state's Solid Waste Master Plan and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan. Municipalities will be required to report their annual waste data by June 30th of each year, including the total tons of solid waste disposed and the population served, with the first reports due in 2024. If a municipality's residents dispose of more than 500 pounds of waste per capita annually, the municipality must implement a waste reduction program within a year that follows the Zero Waste International Alliance standard, which focuses on responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products without harmful environmental discharges. The bill also mandates that the Department issue an annual report on municipal solid waste programs, detailing per capita disposal statistics. If municipalities collectively fail to reduce residential waste to less than 500 pounds per person by July 31, 2025, the Department will be authorized to create a statewide waste reduction program. The overall goal is to protect the environment, preserve resources, reduce greenhouse gases, save municipalities money, and potentially create green jobs.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1036