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Bill > A2512

NJ A2512

NJ A2512
Directs DEP to select consultant to perform Statewide needs assessment regarding recycling of packaging products; establishes "Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council" in DEP; appropriates $500,000.

summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to select a qualified consultant, though a competitive bidding process, to conduct a Statewide needs assessment to assess recycling, composting, and reuse conditions for packaging in the State. The bill would appropriate $500,000 to the DEP to finance the needs assessment, and it would provide for the final needs assessment to be completed and submitted, to the Governor and the Legislature, no later than June 1, 2027. The bill would establish various requirements for what would be included in the needs assessment, as enumerated in section 2 of the bill, including the program costs and capital investments required to achieve optimal recycling rate goals by 2035 for each material type, including paper, plastic, glass, and metal, and including investment into existing and future reuse, recycling, and composting infrastructure for packaging. The bill would require the consultant contracted by the DEP to provide, no later than December 31, 2026, a draft needs assessment to the "Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council" (established by the bill). The advisory council would be required to provide written comments to the consultant no later than 90 days after receipt of the draft needs assessment. The consultant would then incorporate those comments into a final needs assessment, to be submitted to the DEP no later than May 1, 2027. The bill would establish a temporary "Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council" within the DEP. Members of the council would be appointed by the DEP commissioner, and the commissioner would determine the number of members on the council. However, the bill would establish certain minimum requirements for the council's membership, as enumerated in section 3 of the bill. The bill would establish certain duties for the council, including submitting a report to the Governor and Legislature with recommendations on the State's recycling laws and programs. The council would be dissolved 30 days after the final needs assessment is submitted by the DEP to the Governor and the Legislature.

AI Summary

This bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hire a consultant through a competitive process to conduct a comprehensive study, known as a Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment, on the current state of recycling, composting, and reuse of packaging materials in the state. This assessment will examine factors like the types and quantities of packaging used, existing collection and processing systems, current recycling rates, infrastructure needs, and costs associated with achieving optimal recycling goals by 2035. The bill also establishes a temporary Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council, composed of various stakeholders including industry representatives, local government officials, and environmental advocates, to provide input and recommendations on the assessment and potential producer responsibility programs for packaging. A total of $500,000 is appropriated to fund this initiative, with the final assessment due to the Governor and Legislature by June 1, 2027. Certain packaging for regulated products like drugs, medical devices, and pesticides are exempt from this assessment.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (on 01/13/2026)
(2 Companion Bills)

bill text

bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2512
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3000/2512_I1.HTM
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