2026 -- S 2437

========

LC004753

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REFUSE DISPOSAL

     Introduced By: Senators Valverde, Kallman, Lauria, Euer, DiPalma, McKenney,
DiMario, Gu, Bell, and Mack

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2026

     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) 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.

     (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) miles of the covered

entity’s location.

     (d) On and after January 1, 2023, each educational entity (as defined in § 16-110-1 § 16-

111-1) shall ensure that the organic-waste materials that are generated by the educational entity are

recycled at an authorized composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility or by another

authorized recycling method if:

     (1) The educational entity generates not less than thirty (30) tons per year of organic-waste

material; and

     (2) The educational entity is located not more than fifteen (15) miles from an authorized

composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility with available capacity to accept such material.

     (e) The department of environmental management is hereby authorized to issue and enforce

rules and regulations that are not inconsistent with the provisions of chapter 18.9 of this title, or the

rules and regulations issued under chapter 18.9 of this title, in order to implement and enforce the

provisions of the food waste ban.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC004753

========

LC004753 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REFUSE DISPOSAL

***

     This act would authorize the department of environmental management to issue and

enforce rules and regulations to implement and enforce the provisions of the food waste ban.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC004753

========

LC004753 - Page 3 of 3