Environment (Recycling)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 611: An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, providing for deconstruction standards; and imposing penalties.

HB 611 requires deconstruction (systematic dismantling to maximize material reuse) for primary dwelling structures (1-4 unit homes built before January 1, 1930) prior to demolition or renovation. It mandates a documented 85% landfill diversion rate by weight and one salvaged item per 500 square meters of structure, with exceptions for economic or practical infeasibility. Only certified deconstruction contractors - verified by the Department of Labor and Industry through a training program - may perform work, and owners or their agents are responsible for compliance. The bill creates new enforcement standards under Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act, focusing on material reuse over recycling or landfill disposal.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 85% landfill diversion and material reuse for historic homes, reducing waste and conserving resources per deconstruction standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 664: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1996 (P.L.1478, No.190), entitled "An act relating to the recycling and reuse of waste tires; providing for the proper disposal of waste tires and the cleanup of stockpiled tires; authorizing investment tax credits for utilizing waste tires; providing remediation grants for the cleanup of tire piles and for pollution prevention programs for small business and households; establishing the Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program and management standards for small business hazardous waste; providing for a household hazardous waste program and for grant programs; making appropriations; and making repeals," in waste tire recycling, providing for replacement tires.

Senate Bill 664 amends an existing law related to waste tire recycling to introduce new requirements for replacement tires. It mandates that when an individual replaces a vehicle tire at a business that sells tires, the business must keep the old tire for recycling. The individual is not permitted to remove the waste tire from the business. This provision applies to tires that no longer meet safety inspection standards or are expected to fail within three months, but not to tires that are only being repaired.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates tire recycling at point of sale, preventing improper disposal and reducing pollution from stockpiled tires per bill's requirements and cleanup provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Recycling

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 698: An Act providing for bisphenol A-free container products.

HB 698 would require all food and beverage containers sold in Pennsylvania to contain no more than 0.1 parts per billion of bisphenol A (BPA), directly affecting manufacturers, sellers, and distributors of such containers. The bill prohibits containers with BPA above this level and mandates that manufacturers replace BPA with the least toxic alternative, while banning substitutions with known carcinogens or reproductive toxicants identified by the EPA. Violations would be enforced under Pennsylvania’s existing Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, and the law would take effect 60 days after enactment. This focuses on setting a measurable safety standard for consumer products without advocating for specific outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts BPA in containers to reduce toxic pollution, aligning with environmental protection regulations by mandating safer alternatives and banning carcinogens.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HR 83: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study and issue a report on the feasibility and implementation of methods and criteria for expanding construction requirements to use more sustainable building products in State-funded and private construction projects.

HR 83 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study how to require sustainable building materials in state-funded and private construction projects. The study will examine feasible methods, implementation criteria, and projected cost impacts (both savings and increases) for expanding such requirements. The Commission must submit a report to relevant House committees within 180 days of the resolution's adoption. This resolution does not create new requirements but seeks to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill studies expanding sustainable building requirements, which directly promotes energy efficiency in construction projects through material standards.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects study to expand sustainable building requirements, promoting resource conservation and environmental protection through material standards in construction projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 23, 2025

HB 290: An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in environmental protection, providing for polystyrene food container prohibition; and imposing penalties.

HB 290 prohibits food establishments in Pennsylvania from dispensing prepared food in polystyrene containers (like foam cups, bowls, and plates) or selling polystyrene utensils starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and other food service businesses, while allowing retailers to still sell polystyrene meat trays, egg cartons, and packing materials. Violations carry civil penalties of $500 for a first offense, increasing to $2,000 for subsequent violations. The bill aims to reduce environmental harm from single-use polystyrene and preempts conflicting local ordinances.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans polystyrene food containers to reduce plastic pollution and protect natural resources, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 1547: An Act prohibiting single-use plastic bags in retail establishments; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 1547 bans single-use plastic bags at retail stores in Pennsylvania, requiring them to offer recycled paper bags for a 10- to 25-cent fee instead. It directly affects stores like supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and farmers' markets, with exemptions for bags used with perishable foods, pharmacy medications, or dry cleaning. Retailers must post clear signs explaining the change until January 2027 and keep all fees collected from bag sales. The Department of Community and Economic Development must create educational materials and regulations to support the policy.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans single-use plastic bags to reduce pollution and promote reusable alternatives, directly advancing environmental protection goals by targeting a major source of plastic waste.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 10, 2025

HB 1711: An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for concrete innovation; establishing the Performance Incentive Program; and promulgating regulations.

HB 1711 creates a program that pays vendors who supply concrete with at least 20% lower carbon emissions than the regional average for state-funded construction projects. The concrete must be verified through an environmental product declaration, and vendors must deliver at least 50 cubic yards (or equivalent precast) for qualifying projects. The Pennsylvania Department of General Services will manage the payments, which are intended to incentivize lower-carbon concrete use. This bill directly affects state procurement agencies and concrete suppliers working on Commonwealth-funded projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncentivizes lower-carbon concrete use through verified emissions reduction, aligning with clean energy infrastructure goals by reducing carbon footprint in construction materials.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncentivizes 20% lower carbon concrete emissions via state procurement, directly reducing construction sector pollution through verified environmental product declarations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Recycling

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1759: An Act providing for disposal of waste tires, trash and debris, for rules and regulations and for penalties.

HB 1759 establishes rules for disposing of waste tires, trash, and debris in Pennsylvania, directly affecting municipalities, businesses handling tires, and individuals who dump waste improperly. It allows local governments to impose fines up to $5,000 for "short dumping" (illegally emptying trash from vehicles) and $500 per tire for improper tire disposal, while requiring businesses to keep electronic records of tire disposals for five years and provide proof of proper recycling. Municipalities must use collected fines to fund recycling programs, clean up environmental damage from improper disposal, and enforce the law. The bill takes effect 120 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates tire recycling proof, imposes fines for improper disposal, directly regulating waste to prevent environmental pollution from tires/debris.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 29, 2025

HB 1886: An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for bag usage.

HB 1886 (An Act amending Title 12 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for bag usage) proposes changes to regulations governing retail bag use in Pennsylvania. The bill would directly affect retailers and consumers by modifying requirements or fees related to plastic, paper, or reusable bags. It is currently referred to the Environmental & Natural Resource Protection committee, indicating its focus on waste reduction or environmental impact. Specific provisions like bag fees, material restrictions, or retailer obligations are not detailed in the provided context. This summary is based solely on the bill's title and referral, without additional legislative details.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReferred to Environmental committee and focuses on waste reduction through bag regulations, implying promotion of reusable bags to reduce plastic pollution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 24, 2025

HB 1233: An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for portable battery stewardship and establishing requirements for Battery Stewardship Plans; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; and imposing penalties.

HB 1233 requires battery manufacturers and retailers in Pennsylvania to create and implement plans for managing used portable batteries (like those in electronics and tools). It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to review these plans and enforce compliance, imposing fines for violations. The bill directly affects businesses that sell or produce portable batteries by mandating their responsible collection and recycling. If passed, it would establish new statewide requirements for handling battery waste, aiming to reduce environmental harm from improper disposal. The bill is currently pending in the Environmental Resources & Energy committee.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates battery recycling plans to prevent pollution, requires DEP enforcement, and aligns with environmental protection through responsible waste management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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