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A 4902

Decreases the prohibited area of parking around a fire hydrant from fifteen to ten feet

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Pretlow

DEP must hire a consultant to conduct a statewide packaging recycling needs assessment (funded with $500,000) to map capacity gaps and guide 2035 improvements.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · A 4902

Summary — Assembly Bill A4902 (As reported Jan. 27, 2025, with committee amendments)

Important note: The bill title in the filing metadata (“Decreases the prohibited area of parking around a fire hydrant from fifteen to ten feet”) does not match the bill text and committee report provided. The document content and committee report for A4902 address a Statewide recycling needs assessment for packaging and a $500,000 appropriation. This summary addresses the packaging/recycling measure reflected in the bill text and committee report.

Main purpose

Direct the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hire a qualified consultant (selected through competitive solicitation) to conduct a comprehensive Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment focused on packaging. The study is intended to evaluate current recycling, composting, and reuse conditions, identify capacity gaps and costs, and inform policy and investments to improve packaging diversion and recycling by 2035.

Key provisions

  • DEP must issue a competitive solicitation and select the consultant by January 15, 2026.
  • The bill appropriates $500,000 to DEP to fund the needs assessment.
  • Scope of the needs assessment (minimum requirements) includes:
    • Quantity (by weight) and types of packaging sold/distributed/served in the State, by material and format.
    • Current collection systems (curbside, drop-off), processing capacity (MRFs), and composting infrastructure (including out-of-State capacity that serves NJ).
    • County-by-county municipal solid waste disposal quantities.
    • Current recycling, composting, and reuse rates; postconsumer recycled content use; and assessment of recyclability/compostability/reusability by material (paper, plastic, glass, metal, multi-material).
    • Program costs and capital investment needs to achieve “optimal recycling rate goals” by 2035 for each material type, and investments needed for existing and future reuse/recycling/composting infrastructure.
  • Timeline for deliverables:
    • Draft needs assessment due to the newly created Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council by December 31, 2026.
    • Advisory Council to provide written comments within 90 days of receiving the draft.
    • Consultant to submit a revised final needs assessment to DEP by May 1, 2027.
    • DEP to submit the final needs assessment to the Governor and Legislature by June 1, 2027.
  • Establishes a temporary Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council within DEP:
    • Members appointed by the DEP Commissioner; commissioner determines council size subject to minimum membership requirements set in the bill.
    • Committee amendments add at least one member representing plastics manufacturers/plastics manufacturing industry.
    • Council must comment on the draft and deliver recommendations on State recycling laws and programs.
    • Council dissolved 30 days after the DEP submits the final needs assessment to the Governor and Legislature.

Who is affected

  • DEP (administration, contracting, and coordination).
  • Consultant firms qualified to perform large-scale waste and recycling studies.
  • Packaging stakeholders: manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and brand owners.
  • Municipalities, solid waste haulers, material recovery facilities (MRFs), compost facilities, and other operators of collection/processing infrastructure.
  • Policy-makers and budget planners (state and local) who may use the study to design programs, investments, or regulatory changes.
  • Communities (including overburdened communities identified under State law) that may be prioritized in infrastructure and program recommendations.

Procedural status & sponsors

  • Introduced: October 17, 2024 (referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee).
  • Reported with committee amendments: January 27, 2025 (then referred to Assembly Budget Committee).
  • Additional referrals recorded to Transportation (Feb. 10, 2025).
  • Primary sponsor listed: Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow. (Committee report lists additional sponsors including Assemblyman William W. Spearman and others.)
  • Companion bill in the Senate: S3815.

Potential impacts

  • Produces an evidence base to identify infrastructure needs, capital costs, and policy options to increase recycling, composting, and reuse of packaging by 2035.
  • Could drive future state funding decisions, regulatory changes, or program designs (e.g., MRF capacity expansion, composting infrastructure, recycling targets, producer responsibility programs).
  • Broad stakeholder engagement via the advisory council is likely to influence recommendations and ensure industry and municipal input.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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