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Bill

A 4902

Directs DEP to select consultant to perform Statewide needs assessment regarding recycling of packaging products; establishes "Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council" in DEP; appropriates $500,000.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese and 5 co-sponsors

New Jersey authorizes $500,000 to hire a consultant for statewide packaging recycling assessment and establishes advisory council to identify infrastructure gaps and needs.

Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Budget Committee
#solidwaste
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Bill Summary · A 4902

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 4902 directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hire a consultant to conduct a comprehensive statewide assessment of packaging recycling needs and infrastructure gaps. The bill also establishes an advisory council within DEP to guide this assessment and appropriates $500,000 to fund these efforts.

Why is this important

Packaging waste represents a significant portion of New Jersey's solid waste stream, and understanding current recycling capacity and infrastructure limitations is essential for developing effective state recycling policy. This foundational assessment could inform future legislation, infrastructure investments, or extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging materials.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and scope clarity: The $500,000 appropriation is substantial for a needs assessment; critics may question whether this reflects scope creep or genuine necessity, while supporters may argue it's insufficient for a truly comprehensive statewide study
  • Advisory council composition and authority: The bill doesn't specify who sits on the council or what binding power (if any) their recommendations carry, raising questions about stakeholder representation (industry vs. environmental advocates vs. municipalities)
  • Timeline and actionability: The bill establishes a study process but doesn't specify deadlines for completion or requirements that findings must lead to legislative action, potentially creating an open-ended commitment without guaranteed outcomes

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

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