Vermont S 139: An act relating to the management of materials from packaging

Bill Text

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VT LEG #381438 v.1
S.139 1
Introduced by Senators Watson, Hardy, Harrison, Lyons and White 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Conservation and development; solid waste; chemical recycling; 5
packaging; needs assessment 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the 7
Secretary of Natural Resources to conduct a needs assessment of the 8
management of materials discarded or disposed from the use of packaging 9
distributed in the State. The bill would also prohibit the chemical conversion 10
of plastic in the State. 11
An act relating to the management of materials from packaging 12
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 13
Sec. 1. AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES NEEDS ASSESSMENT 14
FOR MANAGEMENT OF PACKAGING MATERIAL 15
(a) The Secretary of Natural Resources shall conduct a needs assessment of 16
the management of materials discarded or disposed from the use of packaging 17
distributed in the State. The goals of the needs assessment shall be to: 18
(1) determine the current status of packaging material reuse, recycling, 19
and disposal in the State; 20

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(2) identify barriers and opportunities to reduce the amount of 1
packaging material discarded and disposed of in the State; 2
(3) identify ways to increase the reusability and recyclability of 3
packaging material; and 4
(4) identify ways to reduce the toxicity and overall quantity of 5
packaging, particularly plastic packaging, distributed in the State. 6
(b) In completing the needs assessment, the Secretary of Natural Resources 7
shall address or answer the following: 8
(1) what is the total landfill capacity in the State and how much of the 9
capacity is expected to be used by the disposal of plastic waste; 10
(2) is the quantity of packaging distributed and discarded in the State 11
increasing or decreasing, both as a whole and by material type; 12
(3) how does the amount of packaging distributed and discarded in the 13
State compare to the average amount distributed and discarded regionally, 14
nationally, and globally; 15
(4) whether certain packaging materials are less expensive to landfill 16
than process or recycle; 17
(5) how are producers and manufacturers of consumer goods currently 18
involved in managing packaging waste in the State and in other jurisdictions; 19
(6) what are the recycling rates for packaging in the State by material 20
and whether the rates are improving or declining; 21

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(7) what threats to public health or the environment are posed by 1
chemical additives in packaging; 2
(8) are certain types of plastic packaging material easier to collect, 3
process, market, and recycle than other types; 4
(9) are any types of packaging material currently unable to be recycled 5
in Vermont; 6
(10) what additives are found in plastic packaging and do any additives 7
pose a threat to public health or impact recyclability; 8
(11) what are the end markets for different recycled plastics and what is 9
the demand for post-consumer recycled content in packaging; 10
(12) what opportunities exist for the creation of packaging material 11
reuse and refill programs; 12
(13) how can packaging materials be improved to enhance recyclability 13
and end-market demand; 14
(14) what consumer education is needed to reduce packaging waste, 15
improve recycling, reduce contamination, and promote reuse or refill systems; 16
(15) what are the opportunities and challenges of an extended producer 17
responsibility (EPR) program that would establish environmental standards for 18
packaging; 19
(16) how can financial relief be provided to waste management districts 20
and consumers through a packaging EPR program; and 21

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(17) does the Agency of Natural Resources have the capacity to provide 1
sufficient oversight of a packaging EPR program in the State and what 2
resources would be needed in order to provide sufficient oversight of the 3
program. 4
(c) On or before January 15, 2027, the Secretary of Natural Resources shall 5
submit the results of the needs assessment required under this section to the 6
Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy and the House Committee 7
on Environment. As part of the submission, the Secretary may recommend 8
draft legislation to address the distribution, management, recycling, and reuse 9
of packaging in the State. 10
(d) In addition to any other funds appropriated to the Agency of Natural 11
Resources in fiscal year 2026, $250,000.00 is appropriated from the General 12
Fund to the Agency of Natural Resources for the purpose of contracting with 13
an external organization to complete the packaging needs assessment required 14
under this section. 15
Sec. 2. 10 V.S.A. § 6621 is added to read: 16
§ 6621. USE OF CHEMICAL CONVERSION TEC