Bill > S0997

This bill establishes the Beverage Container Recycling Act, which creates a comprehensive recycling program for beverage containers in Rhode Island. The bill mandates that every covered beverage container sold in the state will have a ten-cent refund value starting July 1, 2029, and requires the establishment of a recycling refund producer responsibility organization to manage the program. This nonprofit organization will be responsible for creating a network of redemption sites across the state, tracking and reporting on beverage container sales and redemption rates, and working to achieve performance targets of 65% redemption rate by 2031 and 85% by 2034. The organization must develop a plan that ensures convenient redemption options for consumers, including express and full-service redemption sites in municipalities across Rhode Island. The bill also establishes an advisory council to review the program's activities, creates enforcement mechanisms with potential penalties for non-compliance, and requires annual reporting on the program's performance. Producers of beverage containers will be required to register with the organization, pay fees based on their environmental impact, and work towards improving container recyclability and reuse. The ultimate goal is to increase beverage container recycling, reduce waste, and create a more sustainable system for managing beverage packaging in the state.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

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