Bill > S399

This bill aims to reduce solid waste in the Commonwealth by mandating recycling programs in various public spaces and facilities. It defines key terms such as "Agency" (state agencies, authorities, higher education facilities, and offices), "Cathode ray tubes" (glass tubes from TVs and monitors), "Construction and demolition" materials, "Glass Containers" (bottles and jars, excluding certain types), "Fluorescent lamp" (lamps containing mercury), "Lead Batteries" (lead-acid batteries), "Metal Containers" (aluminum, steel, or bi-metal beverage and food containers), "Public building" (buildings owned by the Commonwealth or occupied by state agencies), "Recyclable paper" (paper and cardboard, excluding low-grade products), "Single polymer plastics" (narrow-neck plastic containers labeled 1-6), "State Sustainability Program" (a program within the executive office of environmental affairs), "Tires" (rubber coverings for motor vehicles), "White goods" (major appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, excluding microwaves), and "Yard Waste" (leaves, grass clippings, and brush). The bill requires all agencies, courts, and public buildings to implement recycling programs for specific materials, including plastics, paper, yard waste, tires, white goods, fluorescent lamps, cathode ray tubes, and construction and demolition materials by January 1, 2015. The State Sustainability Program will provide guidance and require reporting on waste and recycling generation from agencies and courts with over 50 employees. Lease agreements for agencies and courts must also include recycling provisions. Additionally, municipalities must provide recycling bins for metal containers, single polymer plastics, and recyclable paper at half of their outdoor public trash can locations, and facilities visited by at least 5,000 people annually, such as stadiums and museums, must also implement recycling programs for these materials and place recycling receptacles adjacent to trash cans. Finally, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will be required to provide newspaper recycling bins at all mass transportation facilities where newspapers are sold or distributed.