Environment (Recycling) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 776: Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for delivery orders; requires certain retailers to repurpose cardboard boxes if feasible.

This bill (A 776) allows grocery stores to provide single-use paper carryout bags for a fee to customers ordering groceries for delivery, removing a previous restriction. It also requires stores and food service businesses to repurpose cardboard delivery boxes for reuse (e.g., for future grocery deliveries) whenever feasible. The law directly affects grocery stores, food retailers, and delivery services operating in New Jersey. Key mechanisms include permitting paper bags solely for delivery orders and mandating cardboard box reuse to reduce waste, without altering existing bans on single-use plastic bags for in-store purchases.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3744: "Packaging and Paper Product Stewardship Act."

New Jersey's "Packaging and Paper Product Stewardship Act" (A-3744) requires producers of packaging and paper products sold in the state to manage the end-of-life disposal of these items through mandatory stewardship plans. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of packaging (like food containers, bags, and beverage containers) and paper products (excluding books and non-recyclable items), shifting responsibility for waste management from taxpayers to producers. Key mechanisms include creating "environmentally sound" recycling, composting, or reuse systems via producer groups (PROs) or individual plans, setting annual recycling rate targets, and prioritizing waste management in "overburdened communities." The bill defines specific terms like composting (excluding wastewater treatment) and recycling to ensure waste is handled safely and effectively, without relying on incineration or landfill disposal.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1859: Prohibits use of receipt paper containing bisphenol A.

This bill prohibits businesses and banks from using receipt paper containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical added during manufacturing to improve paper characteristics. It directly affects retailers, financial institutions, and any entity that provides transaction records like receipts or credit card slips. Violators face civil penalties of $250-$500 per offense, with daily fines for ongoing violations, enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection or courts. The law takes effect 18 months after enactment, aiming to reduce consumer exposure to BPA through everyday transaction documents.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1541: Establishes farm pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer collection and disposal program.

This bill establishes a voluntary program for commercial farms in New Jersey to safely collect, transport, and dispose of unused pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, as well as recycle their containers. The program requires the Department of Environmental Protection to place collection sites across all three regions of the state, host at least two collection events annually per site, and contract with qualified waste handlers. It also mandates an annual public report detailing program participation, environmental benefits, and funding, while requiring the Department of Agriculture to run a public education campaign about collection locations and benefits. Participation is optional for farms, and the program must comply with existing pesticide disposal laws.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3391: "Beverage Container Deposit Act"; requires use of returnable beverage containers in NJ and establishes deposit and refund system to facilitate return of such containers to manufacturers for reuse or proper disposal.

This bill, S 3391 "Beverage Container Deposit Act," requires all beverage manufacturers and distributors in New Jersey to use returnable containers for drinks sold in the state. It establishes a mandatory $0.10 deposit on eligible containers (like bottles, cans, and cartons under one gallon, excluding cups, infant formula, and certain dairy products), which consumers pay at purchase and receive back when returning empty containers to redemption centers. Key mechanisms include requiring containers to be "certified as reusable," creating account-based or bag-drop return systems for refunds, and repealing a prior container disposal law. The policy directly affects beverage producers, retailers, and consumers by changing how containers are sold, returned, and processed for reuse or recycling.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3670: Authorizes certain large food waste generators to send food waste to sanitary landfill facilities for purpose of generating Class I renewable energy or renewable natural gas.

This bill allows large food waste generators (those producing 52+ tons annually) to dispose of source-separated food waste at sanitary landfills that capture landfill gas for renewable energy production, instead of sending it to dedicated recycling facilities. It applies to generators within 25 miles of a recycling facility who choose this alternative path, requiring landfills to deliver gas to facilities generating Class I renewable energy or renewable natural gas meeting quality standards. The policy expands disposal options while maintaining the core requirement for source separation. Generators must continue this disposal method to remain compliant, with waivers available if recycling costs exceed disposal costs by 10% or more.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Renewable Energy Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 1651: "Mattress Stewardship Act;" requires mattress producers to join stewardship organization and implement mattress stewardship program.

This bill requires mattress producers (manufacturers, importers, or brands) to join a nonprofit stewardship organization within one year of the law taking effect. The organization will manage the collection and environmentally sound disposal of discarded mattresses through a program funded by a small "stewardship assessment" added to each mattress purchase price. Retailers and renovators selling mattresses must also register with the organization. The program aims to ensure discarded mattresses are recycled, renovated, or disposed of safely, reducing landfill waste and environmental harm.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1165: Prohibits procurement of single use plastic beverage containers by State and local government entities.

New Jersey bill A1165 prohibits state and local government agencies from purchasing single-use plastic beverage containers (like sealed plastic bottles or cans) for their operations. The law applies to all government entities with procurement authority, including departments, schools, and municipalities, but allows exceptions for existing contracts or if alternatives would cause economic hardship. Agencies must review and update their purchasing rules within one year to comply. The bill does not affect public consumption of such containers or require changes to private businesses.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4069: Exempts sales of tangible personal property made from 100 percent post-recycled waste and recycled materials from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts the retail sale of tangible personal property made from 100% post-recycled waste or recycled materials (such as recycled bricks, asphalt, and crushed concrete) from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It defines "post-recycled waste" as materials salvaged from general waste and processed into raw materials, and "recycled materials" as products made from post-consumer waste. The exemption applies directly to retailers selling these specific recycled products, reducing their sales tax burden. The bill takes effect two months after enactment for all qualifying sales.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Recycling

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 1872: Exempts community gardens operating on-site composting systems or other systems of managing organic waste from certain DEP permits under certain conditions.

This bill exempts community gardens using on-site composting systems from certain environmental permits required under New Jersey's Solid Waste Management Act, Recycling Act, Air Pollution Control Act, and Water Pollution Control Act. It applies to gardens that accept no more than 200 gallons of source-separated food waste weekly (with larger properties allowed 200 gallons per 5,000 square feet) and use all generated compost exclusively on-site or distribute it per DEP rules for Class C recyclables. The exemption covers permits related to waste management, air, and water pollution, directly benefiting community gardens by reducing regulatory burden for small-scale composting.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Air Quality Recycling Waste Management

All environment bills