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SB 134

Solid Waste Disposal Surcharge and Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Fund and Grant Programs - Established

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Katie Hester

Maryland bill establishes waste disposal surcharge to fund food waste reduction, diversion, and composting grant programs.

Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m. (Education, Energy, and the Environment)
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Bill Summary · SB 134

Legislative bill overview

SB 134 establishes a solid waste disposal surcharge in Maryland and creates a dedicated fund to support programs that reduce and divert wasted food from landfills. The bill directs revenue from the surcharge toward grants and initiatives aimed at food waste prevention, rescue, and composting efforts.

Why is this important

Food waste represents a significant environmental and economic problem—it occupies valuable landfill space, generates methane emissions, and represents wasted resources. By creating dedicated funding through a surcharge mechanism, the bill aims to incentivize waste reduction and support infrastructure for food recovery and composting, which have proven benefits for both environmental and food security outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on consumers and businesses: A new disposal surcharge will increase costs for waste management, which may be passed to consumers or small businesses already facing economic pressures
  • Regressive impact: Disposal surcharges disproportionately affect lower-income households that spend a larger percentage of income on waste management and basic goods
  • Implementation complexity: Determining appropriate surcharge rates, fund administration, and ensuring grants reach effective programs requires careful design to avoid waste or inefficiency
  • Competitive concerns: Businesses may relocate waste disposal to neighboring jurisdictions without similar surcharges, reducing effectiveness

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

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