Bill > S2441

This bill establishes a new chapter in Rhode Island law to promote composting and organic waste diversion, aiming to reduce the amount of solid waste sent to landfills. It creates a "Compost Fund," administered by the Office of the General Treasurer, which will be funded by a new $2.00 per ton solid waste disposal surcharge on waste processed at refuse disposal systems, such as landfills and transfer stations. This surcharge, which will be adjusted every five years based on inflation or a 20% increase, will be collected by waste haulers and disposal facilities and transferred quarterly to the state treasurer. The Compost Fund will then be used to award grants through two separate grant programs: the "Competitive Composting and Waste Diversion Grant Fund" (CG fund) for eligible entities like non-profits, farmers, and businesses to support compost production, use, and waste diversion efforts, and the "Municipal Waste Diversion Grant Fund" (MG fund) for municipalities to develop and implement activities that prevent food waste, rescue surplus food, or promote composting, with municipalities needing to opt into the surcharge program to be eligible for these grants. The bill also defines key terms like "compost," "composting," and "municipal solid waste" (MSW), and mandates that the Department of Environmental Management report annually to the General Assembly on the impact of these grant programs, with a review of the surcharge adjustment every five years. This act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Budget and Finance

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