Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund; established.

Packaging Stewardship Program and Fund; StewardshipAdvisory Committee; established. Establishes the Packaging StewardshipProgram, administered by the Department of Environmental Quality. Under the Program, a producer that sells products with packagingmaterials in the Commonwealth pays a fee to the Department based upon the amount of packaging used and whether or not it is easilyrecyclable. A producer may establish an alternative collection programto offset some or all of the fees. The fees are paid into the Packaging Stewardship Fund, established in the bill, and are used to reimburseparticipating localities for expenses related to recycling, investin recycling infrastructure and education, and pay administrativecosts related to the Program. The bill authorizes the Departmentto contract with a third party to administer the Program. The billalso establishes a Stewardship Advisory Committee, with 23 membersappointed by the Director of the Department, to oversee implementationof the Program.