Bill > H6206

This bill establishes the Beverage Container Recycling Act, creating a comprehensive program for depositing and recycling beverage containers in Rhode Island. The bill requires the creation of a nonprofit recycling refund producer responsibility organization (PRO) that will manage a statewide system where consumers pay a 10-cent deposit on eligible beverage containers and can later redeem that deposit at designated redemption sites. The PRO will be responsible for establishing a network of convenient redemption locations, tracking and reporting on container sales and redemption rates, and working to achieve performance targets of 65% redemption rate by 2031 and 85% by 2034. The program covers most glass, plastic, and metal beverage containers between 40ml and one gallon in size, with some exceptions like milk and medical drinks. The Department of Environmental Management will oversee the program, appoint an advisory council, and have enforcement powers to levy penalties against producers or the PRO who fail to meet the requirements. Producers will pay fees based on their container types, and unredeemed deposits will be reinvested into program improvements, education, and expanding redemption sites. The bill aims to increase recycling, reduce waste, and create a more sustainable beverage container ecosystem in Rhode Island.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

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