2025 -- S 0996 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR

A REDEMPTION AND RECYCLING PLAN

     Introduced By: Senators McKenney, Tikoian, Britto, Lawson, Sosnowski, LaMountain,
Murray, Gu, Vargas, and Urso

     Date Introduced: May 02, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     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 19.19

THE STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR A REDEMPTION AND RECYCLING PLAN

     23-19.19-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Statewide Needs Assessment for a

Redemption and Recycling Plan".

     23-19.19-2. Statewide needs assessment for a redemption and recycling plan.

     (a) The department of environmental management (DEM), in collaboration with the

department of administration (DOA), and the Rhode Island resource recovery corporation

(RIRRC), shall commission a statewide needs assessment to determine the infrastructure, policy,

and programmatic requirements necessary to support a state-wide redemption and recycling plan

including packaging materials, paper products, standard and miniature size beverage containers

including, but not limited to, aluminum and bimetal containers, glass containers, plastic containers,

and other priority materials as designated by the department.

     (b) The department shall procure an independent third-party consultant with relevant

expertise to conduct the assessment, which shall include:

     (1) A baseline solid waste and recycling analysis, which shall include an analysis of the

following:

     (i) A characterization of the statewide solid waste stream by material type, quantity, source,

and disposal method;

     (ii) A breakdown of recyclable and compostable materials by jurisdiction, type, collection

method, and end-market destination;

     (iii) An analysis of materials that are currently not captured but are recyclable; and

     (iv) Current costs and revenues associated with municipal solid waste, recycling, and

composting operations, including tipping fees and contract terms.

     (2) An infrastructure and capacity evaluation, which shall include an evaluation of the

following:

     (i) An analysis and inventory of existing collection, sorting, and processing infrastructure,

including materials recovery facilities (MRFs), composting operations, and transfer stations;

     (ii) An assessment of processing capacity gaps and identification of capital investments

required to expand local and regional processing;

     (iii) A review of reuse and refill systems, including reverse logistics and retail-based

programs; and

     (iv) An evaluation of current contamination and litter rates, material flow logistics, and

gaps in access to curbside and drop-off collection services.

     (3) An assessment of environmental geographic considerations, which shall include an

assessment of the following:

     (i) A demographic and geographic analysis of waste service access and participation;

     (ii) An evaluation of public outreach, education, and participation in reuse and recycling

programs; and

     (iii) Recommendations to enhance job quality, health and safety for facility and collection

workers.

     (4) Economic and market impacts, which shall include the following:

     (i) Identification of lost economic value due to landfilling of recyclable materials;

     (ii) Job estimates and business opportunities related to increased material recovery,

recycling, and reuse;

     (iii) Barriers and recommendations for developing local end-markets and supply chains

that utilize recovered and redeemed materials; and

     (iv) A cost-benefit analysis of a redemption and comprehensive recycling program

framework for all impacted parties.

     (5) A redemption and recycling plan design review, which shall include the following:

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     (i) An evaluation of successful redemption and recycling program designs in peer states;

     (ii) Recommendations for a Rhode Island redemption fee; and

     (iii) An analysis of environmental benefits, including greenhouse gas reductions, material

recovery targets, and reduced litter and marine debris.

     (6) Suggested performance targets and phasing recommendations, which shall include the

following:

     (i) Diversion goals, timetables, and metrics for assessing success under low, moderate, and

high-impact implementation scenarios;

     (ii) Recommendations for investment timelines, education campaigns, and dashboard

designs, and reporting protocols to ensure transparency and accountability; and

     (iii) Recommendations for addressing specific items in the waste stream including, but not

limited to, miniature size beverage containers.

     (c) The needs assessment pursuant to this section shall be conducted with input from

municipalities, quasi-public agencies, and regional planning entities and shall include direct input

from industry stakeholders and impacted communities.

     23-19.19-3. Rhode Island redemption and recycling advisory council.

     (a) DEM shall convene a Rhode island redemption and recycling advisory council to

provide guidance, review preliminary findings, and make recommendations throughout the

assessment process.

     (b) The advisory council shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) One representative from each municipal solid waste authority or public works

department serving a population greater than twenty thousand (20,000);

     (2) One representative from a Rhode Island-based packaging or consumer goods producer;

     (3) One representative from a materials recovery facility operating in Rhode Island;

     (4) One representative from a composting or organics processing facility;

     (5) One representative from a Rhode Island reuse or refill systems operator;

     (6) One representative from a local environmental justice or waste advocacy organization;

     (7) One academic or scientific expert on waste systems, environmental health, or circular

economy; and

     (8) One representative from the commercial or retail sector, including hospitality, liquor,

or distribution.

     23-19.19-4. Rhode Island redemption and recycling advisory report.

     (a) The department shall, prior to the final report required by this section, hold at least one

public hearing to solicit input on the draft needs assessment before its finalization.

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     (b) The final report, including findings and recommendations, shall be submitted to the

governor, the speaker of the house, the senate president, and the chairs of the house and senate

environment committees no later than December 28, 2026.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR

A REDEMPTION AND RECYCLING PLAN

***

     This act would require the department of environmental management, in collaboration with

the department of administration, and the resource recovery corporation, to conduct a needs

assessment to support a redemption program for recycling.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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