Issue · Environment

Environment (Recycling)

Every environment bill, vote, and legislator stance in New Jersey, automatically classified by Maddy, our AI policy reader.

NJ Legislature US Congress

Total bills

64

2026-2027 Regular Session

Top supporter

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Top opponent

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Showing 51–60 of 64 bills

All environment bills

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 663: Requires solid waste management districts to develop strategy to reduce food waste; requires DEP to adopt certain rules and regulations regarding composting facilities.

S 663 requires New Jersey's solid waste management districts (including counties and the Hackensack Meadowlands District) to create a plan reducing food waste by 50% by 2035 compared to 2022 levels. Districts must add this plan to their solid waste management strategy for approval by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP must also publish practical methods for achieving this goal, such as increasing food donations and composting, and establish a tiered regulatory system for composting facilities to support organic waste recycling.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 677: Requires certain State-funded construction projects to utilize plastic construction materials that contain certain amounts of postconsumer recycled content.

This bill requires all plastic construction materials (over 50% plastic by cost) used in State-funded projects by government entities (state, county, or municipal) to contain at least 10% postconsumer recycled content for two years after enactment, increasing to 15% thereafter. It exempts projects if compliant materials would raise costs by 25% or aren’t available in needed quantities. The bill applies to materials like pipes, panels, or insulation incorporated into construction projects. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved in P.L.2025, c.308.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 673: "Packaging and Paper Product Stewardship Act."

This bill requires producers of packaging and paper products sold in New Jersey to implement environmentally sound management plans for their products. It creates a system where producers must join or form Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to manage the end-of-life disposal of covered products through recycling, composting, or reuse - excluding landfilling and certain energy recovery methods. Key provisions include defining "covered products" (like food containers, bags, and beverage packaging), setting recycling rate targets, and mandating that PROs ensure compliance with environmental standards, particularly in overburdened communities. The law shifts responsibility for waste management from municipalities to producers, aiming to reduce landfill waste and promote sustainable product lifecycle practices.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 682: Revises various provisions of MLUL; provides for certain model applications and checklists.

This bill (S 682) revises New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) to modernize land development processes. It adds new goals like promoting renewable energy use and recycling, clarifies timelines for application reviews, and requires the Department of Community Affairs to create standardized model application forms and checklists for municipalities to adopt. These model forms would help streamline how developers submit applications and how local governments review them. The changes directly affect developers, municipal planning boards, and local governments by providing clearer, more uniform procedures for land use approvals. The bill focuses on improving efficiency in the development review process without altering core land use policies.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 177: 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 allows grocery stores to provide single-use paper bags for delivery orders (with a fee), reversing a previous prohibition that banned such bags for delivery. It requires grocery stores and other retailers to repurpose cardboard delivery boxes for reuse when feasible, instead of discarding them. The change amends New Jersey's 2020 law that previously restricted both plastic and paper carryout bags, with the exception now explicitly permitting paper bags for delivery. This policy directly affects grocery stores, delivery services, and retailers handling food deliveries.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 563: Exempts sales of reusable carryout bags from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts sales of reusable carryout bags from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects retailers selling qualifying bags and customers purchasing them, removing the tax on these items. A "reusable carryout bag" is defined as one made from specific machine-washable materials (like cloth, polypropylene, or nylon), with stitched handles, and designed for multiple uses. The exemption applies to all sales made four months after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 681: "Electronic Cigarette Extended Producer Responsibility Act."

S 681, the "Electronic Cigarette Extended Producer Responsibility Act," requires e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors in New Jersey to form a producer responsibility organization (PRO) within two years. This PRO must manage the collection, recycling, reuse, and environmentally sound disposal of discarded e-cigarettes, including single-use devices and batteries. The law directly affects e-cigarette producers and distributors by shifting end-of-life waste management costs and responsibilities from local governments and consumers to the industry. Key provisions mandate the PRO to follow environmental standards, maintain financial accountability, and operate under state approval to ensure effective waste handling.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1927: Exempts certain compostable items from ban on single-use plastic carryout products.

This bill amends New Jersey's single-use plastic carryout bag ban to exempt certain compostable bags. Specifically, it removes from the definition of "plastic carryout bag" bags made entirely from organic materials that are certified by a third-party verification organization as compostable in municipal or industrial facilities. This change directly affects stores selling these certified compostable bags, allowing them to offer these items without violating the ban. The exemption applies only to bags meeting the specified certification standards, not all biodegradable products. The bill does not alter the overall ban on conventional plastic carryout bags.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 644: Establishes "Electric Vehicle Battery Repurposing Fund" to support repurposing, remanufacturing, and recycling of electric vehicle batteries; dedicates amounts based on certain sales of electric vehicles.

S 644 establishes New Jersey's "Electric Vehicle Battery Repurposing Fund" in the state's General Fund, funded by $500 per retail electric vehicle sale reported annually. The fund supports repurposing (using old EV batteries for stationary storage like home energy systems), remanufacturing (restoring batteries to like-new condition), and recycling of EV batteries in an environmentally safe way. It directly affects electric vehicle owners (through the sales-based funding) and businesses handling battery processing. The bill aims to prevent toxic landfill contamination from batteries containing lithium, cobalt, and graphite as EV adoption grows in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics State Budget Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 646: Requires manufacturers of electric vehicles to establish and implement electric vehicle battery management plans.

S 646 (the "Electric Vehicle Battery Management Act") requires electric vehicle manufacturers selling vehicles in New Jersey to create and implement plans for managing used EV batteries. It directly affects EV manufacturers, who must cover all costs for collecting, transporting, reusing, and recycling batteries using environmentally safe methods - prioritizing reuse over disposal. Key provisions include submitting detailed plans within 180 days (including consumer education, reuse strategies, and recycling infrastructure), updating plans every two years, and ensuring manufacturers finance the entire process. The bill aims to address environmental risks from toxic batteries (like lithium-ion) by shifting responsibility from consumers to manufacturers.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Recycling Electric Vehicles