Bill > H687

This bill aims to reduce solid waste and increase recycling by establishing annual performance targets for municipalities based on waste disposed per resident, requiring municipalities to report their waste disposal data, and mandating that solid waste management facilities remove "Waste Ban" materials, which are specific items banned from disposal, to the greatest extent possible, with enforcement actions and penalties for non-compliance. The bill also introduces a $1.50 per ton surcharge on waste disposed of at facilities, with all revenue from fines and surcharges directed to a "Zero Waste Fund" managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to support recycling and composting programs, and requires waste haulers to register with MassDEP, provide comprehensive collection services for recyclables, and educate customers on proper waste management, with potential fines for false reporting and provisions for low-interest loans to haulers for equipment to implement these new regulations.