Massachusetts SD 1443: An Act to consider adoption of aspects of the German Green Dot Waste Reduction Standards

Bill Text

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1443 FILED ON: 2/17/2021
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 578

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to consider adoption of aspects of the German Green Dot Waste Reduction Standards.
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PETITION OF:

NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS:
Vincent Lawrence Dixon 60 Lake Street – Unit N Winchester, Mass.
01890

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1443 FILED ON: 2/17/2021
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 578
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 578) of Vincent
Lawrence Dixon for legislation to consider adoption of aspects of the German Green Dot Waste
Reduction Standards. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)
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An Act to consider adoption of aspects of the German Green Dot Waste Reduction Standards.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:

1 SECTION 1. The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the
2 following new chapter:
3 PURPOSE – It is significant to the general, and specific, public health of the residents,
4 businesses, and other enterprises that live, and operate in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
5 that there are various problems arising from, the creation of various forms of waste, and distinct
6 constraints on the disposal of waste, and trash of various kinds. This is especially true in
7 congested, urban areas, but also has known, and unknown, effects on the general environment,
8 watersheds, air, wetlands, and useful lands of all kinds. In recent years, this situation has become
9 more severe, and these are a series of problems that can be addressed in various ways.
10 1.) In dealing with various forms of waste processing, demand side reduction can, and
11 must be, an important part of overall waste management policies.

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12 2.) What is known as the “German Green Dot Program” was established in the 1990s in
13 the Federal Republic of Germany, and has contributed in significant ways to improvement of
14 waste management processes. While recycling is valuable, the reduction of packaging waste, by
15 improved packaging design, and direct conceptual design elements, by manufacturers, and
16 delivery services, can be effective, as part of a broader set of policies.
17 3.) The provisions of this statute, are adopted, for the purposes of consistency, of
18 manufacturing, retail, and other commercial activities, and transactions, across the
19 Commonwealth. They recognize that while local ordinances have value, that there should be a
20 degree of consistency, actions, and improved recommendations, therefore, for environmentally
21 friendly policies, across the entire Commonwealth.
22 4a.) By this statute, a Massachusetts Climate Action Advisory Council (MCAAC) is
23 established, to be made up of 21 members, drawn from a suitable cross-section of Massachusetts
24 residents, environmentally concerned active organizations, scientific experts, and others to
25 consider these standards, and other similar, and appropriate matters. This body shall also liaison,
26 and intersect, with local municipal, and regional climate action advisory groups.
27 4b.) The Massachusetts Climate Advisory Council (MCAAC) shall operate under the
28 Department of Conservation Services (DCS); and shall draw membership, from the following
29 segments: Three (3) scientific experts in waste management, and packaging reduction
30 engineering; three (3) scientific experts in waste management, and disposal; three (3) members
31 drawn from environmental education and advocacy groups; three (3) members of the House of
32 Representatives; three (3) members of the State Senate; three (3) members from the business
33 sector; and three (3) members from the field of education.

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34 5.) Various provisions of this statute, and additional proposed regulations, may be
35 utilized, at the discretion of local legislative, and/or executive authorities.