It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 23-18.12-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-18.12 entitled "Beverage Container Recyclability" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 23-18.12-2. Definitions. -- ADD} (a) "Beverages" shall include milk, juices, carbonated soft drinks, soda water, mineral water, beer, and other malt beverages, wine and wine coolers, and all other packaged liquors and liquid mixes.

(b) "Beverage container" means any sealable bottle, can, jar, or carton which contains a beverage.

(c) "Beverage wholesaler" means any person who engages in the sale of beverage containers to beverage retailers in this state, including any brewer, manufacturer, or bottler who engages in such sales.

(d) "Beverage retailer" means any person who engages in the sale of a beverage container to a consumer within the state of Rhode Island, any operator of a vending machine.

(e) "Recyclable" shall mean recovered resources able to be reused in manufacturing, agriculture, power production, or other processes.

(f) "Reusable" shall mean able to be refilled after proper processing on an economically feasible basis as a beverage container.

(g) "Distributor establishments" shall mean all sales outlets, stores, shops located in this state which sell beverages to consumers, except the merchants who sell prepared food or drink for consumption on the premises.

(h) "Corporation" shall mean the Rhode Island Solid Waste Management Corporation.

(i) "Department" shall mean the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

(j) "Recycling rate" is the percentage by weight of a particular beverage container that is recovered {ADD from municipal and/or commercial collection programs ADD} for recycling {ADD . ADD} {DEL at corporation facilities. DEL} The recycling rate shall apply only to those beverages included in the state mandatory recycling program.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.