2021 -- S 0704

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LC002508

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REFUSE DISPOSAL

     Introduced By: Senators Valverde, Euer, Anderson, DiMario, and Miller

     Date Introduced: March 26, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 23-18.9-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-18.9 entitled "Refuse

Disposal" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-18.9-17. Food waste ban.

     (a) On and after January 1, 2016, each covered entity and each covered educational

institution shall ensure that the organic-waste materials that are generated by the covered entity or

at the covered educational facility are recycled at an authorized, composting facility or anaerobic

digestion facility or by another authorized recycling method if:

     (1) The covered entity or covered educational facility generates not less than one hundred

four (104) fifty-two (52) tons per year of organic-waste material; and

     (2) The covered entity or covered educational facility is located not more than fifteen (15)

thirty (30) miles from an authorized composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility with

available capacity to accept such material.

     (b) On and after January 1, 2018, each covered educational institution shall ensure that the

organic-waste materials that are generated at the covered educational facility are recycled at an

authorized, composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility or by another authorized recycling

method if:

     (1) The covered educational facility generates not less than fifty-two (52) tons per year of

organic-waste material; and

     (2) The covered entity or covered educational facility is located not more than fifteen (15)

miles from an authorized, composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility with available capacity

to accept such material.

     (c) The director shall grant a waiver of the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) upon a

showing that the tipping fee charged by the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation for non-

contract commercial sector waste is less than the fee charged for organic-waste material by each

composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility located within fifteen (15) thirty (30) miles of

the covered entity's location.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on December 31, 2021.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REFUSE DISPOSAL

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     This act would require certain businesses and educational facilities that produce at least

fifty-two (52) tons of organic-waste yearly and are located within thirty (30) miles of an authorized

composting facility to use authorized methods of recycling.

     This act would take effect on December 31, 2021.

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