Bill > S07809

This bill mandates that all state agencies establish composting programs in buildings they own, occupy, or operate, requiring the separation of compostable waste, such as food scraps and plant trimmings, into labeled containers, with clear signage to guide employees. "Compostable" is defined as materials that will degrade through biological processes without leaving visible or toxic residue, and that won't harm plant growth. Agencies have flexibility in how they manage this waste, including hiring private haulers, transporting it themselves, or processing it on-site. The bill also requires agencies to report annually on the costs and effectiveness of their programs, and provides exemptions for buildings where compliance is infeasible due to minimal waste generation, lack of local composting infrastructure, or challenging environmental conditions, though these exemptions must be reevaluated every five years. Furthermore, buildings within municipalities that have their own established composting programs are exempt from these state requirements. Finally, the Department of Environmental Conservation will compile and publish an annual report on the effectiveness and costs of these state agency composting programs.