Chapter 335

2011 -- S 0185 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/13/11

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- USED COOKING OIL RECYCLING ACT

Introduced By: Senators Algiere, and Sosnowski

Date Introduced: February 09, 2011

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 18.17

USED COOKING OIL RECYCLING

23-18.17-1. Purpose. – The purposes of this act are:

(1) To establish a safe and environmentally sound used cooking oil collection initiative in

Rhode Island that covers all commercial facilities that generate used cooking oil in the state;

(2) To promote the recycling of used cooking oil;

(3) To develop a strategy for waste reduction in the state with the participation of

procedures, processors and consumers;

(4) To eliminate the dumping of used cooking oil in landfills and down sewer drains in

order to minimize sewer damage and maintenance costs and extend the capacity of landfills;

and

(5) To promote the creation of green jobs.

23-18.17-2. Findings. – The general assembly hereby finds and declares:

(1) Used cooking oil clogs septic and municipal sewer systems, leading to overflowing

manholes and high maintenance fees;

(2) Sewer overspill causes environmental pollution and leads to disease in humans and

animals;

(3) In order to address these real threats to public health and the environment, efforts

should be made to help minimize costs of sewer maintenance as well as prevention of sewer

blockages.

23-18.17-3. Definitions. – For the purposes of this chapter, the following words shall

have the following meanings:

(1) “Used Cooking Oil” means grease generated from using vegetable oil or animal fat

for cooking;

(2) “Receptacle” means a container that holds, contains, or receives liquids (grease);

(3) “Used Cooking Oil Generation” means the creation of used cooking oil as a

byproduct of cooking, etc. by commercial facilities.

23-18.17-4. Environmentally sound recycling. – Used cooking oil generators shall

maintain receptacles for the collection of used cooking oil and deposit all used cooking oil into

said receptacles for recycling purposes.

23-18.17-5. Disposal ban. – After the effective date of this act, no used cooking oil

generator shall dispose of used cooking oil in a manner other than by recycling.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2012.

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LC00355/SUB A

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