Capital Briefs: Proposal Would Outlaw Battery Disposal
Proposal would outlaw battery disposal
Oregon: House Bill 2938 would prohibit residents from knowingly disposing of rechargeable batteries as solid waste. The bill would also require retailers and battery manufacturers to establish recycling programs and to fulfill certain other requirements relating to rechargeable batteries. The bill also establishes civil penalties for violations of provisions relating to recycling of rechargeable batteries. Introduced Feb. 18.
Bill Would Require Vehicles to Move Over For Garbage Trucks
Alabama: Senate Bill 173 would alter the Move Over Act to include garbage, trash, refuse or recycling collection vehicles. The law requires the driver of another motor vehicle to move over or slow down when approaching specified vehicles and yield the right of way to them as well. Introduced Feb. 12 and sent to a committee on commerce, transportation and utilities.
Daily cover wouldn't count as diversion
California: Assembly Bill 323 would require the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to adopt regulations to declare the use of green material as alternative daily cover does not constitute diversion through recycling and would be considered disposal for purposes of the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989. The bill would also require the department to conduct an analysis on the use of related residual fines. Introduced Feb. 12.
Rules proposed for red bag waste
California: Assembly Bill 333 changes the definition of a biohazard bag to a film bag certified by the manufacturer as having passed specified tests for tear resistance and impact resistance. The bill also requires the biohazard bag to be red unless other colors are used to further segregate the waste stream. If another color is used, that color assignment must be designated in the facility's medical waste management plan. Introduced Feb. 13.
Used mattress bill proposed in California
California: Senate Bill 254 would establish the Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act, which would force a manufacturer of mattresses sold in the state to be responsible for the collection and recycling of used mattresses generated by consumers. The bill would prohibit any manufacturer from selling a mattress in the state without a plan or a membership in a stewardship group. Introduced Feb. 13.
Bill would address unused meds
West Virginia: House Bill 2113 would establish a two-year pilot program to address the disposal of unused pharmaceuticals. Introduced Feb. 13 and sent to a committee on health and human resources.
Paint stewardship plan proposed in Illinois
Illinois: House Bill 2274 would create the Paint Stewardship Act, which would require each producer of paint to join a representative organization. That organization would be forced to submit a plan to the state's EPA for the establishment of a paint stewardship program. The program would include a fee to be added to the cost of all architectural paint sold. Introduced Feb. 19 and sent to a committee on rules.
Battery stewardship program proposed
California: Assembly Bill 488 would require a producer of single-use household batteries, or a stewardship organization created by one or more producers of the batteries, to submit a household battery stewardship plan to the state's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. Introduced Feb. 19.
Mattress recycling proposed in R.I.
Rhode Island: Senate Bill 261 would establish a procedure for the recycling, reuse and proper disposal of mattresses. Introduced Feb. 12 and sent to a committee on the environment and agriculture.
Solid waste plan requirements outlined
Tennessee: House Bill 1335 would require all municipal solid waste region plans to adhere to statutorily recognized policies that institute and maintain programs for statewide solid waste management and that encourage generators of solid waste to reduce the amount of MSW to be collected and disposed in landfills. Introduced Feb. 14.
Paint recycling plan proposed in Vermont
Vermont: House Bill 262 would establish a program for the collection and recycling of paint. Introduced Feb. 13 and sent to a committee on natural resources and energy.
Med waste facilities prohibited in areas
New York: Assembly Bill 4823 would prohibit the establishment or conversion of medical waste treatment, storage, transfer or disposal facilities in any area of the state not zoned for such uses. The bill would also require annual review of permits issued to previously existing medical waste treatment, storage, transfer or disposal facilities in areas not zoned for that use. Introduced Feb. 11 and sent to a committee on environmental conservation.
Task force proposed for cigarette butts
New York: Assembly Bill 5047 would establish a task force to study and report on the feasibility of a mandatory and/or voluntary cigarette filter recycling program and would require that task force to conduct a public hearing on the feasibility, economic and public health impacts and the effectiveness of the program. Introduced Feb. 14 and sent to a committee on environmental conservation.
Bill would require check payments
Vermont: House Bill 285 would restrict a scrap metal processor from paying cash for nonferrous scrap. Operators can pay customers only through check, money order or similar method of payment that can be recorded electronically. Introduced Feb. 15.
County could impose bag fee under measure
Maryland: House Bill 1111 would authorize Prince George's County to impose a fee on specified retail establishments for the use of disposable bags as part of a retail sale of products. Introduced Feb. 8 and sent to a committee on environmental matters along with a committee on economic matters.
Bill would allow phase landfill developments
North Carolina: House Bill 94 would amend certain environmental and natural resource laws to allow 10-year phase landfill developments to apply for a permit to operate. The bill would also clarify the process for appeals from civil penalties assessed by a local government that has established and administers an erosion and sedimentation control program. Introduced Feb. 13 and sent to a committee on the environment.
Awards program proposed for N.J.
New Jersey: Assembly Bill 3862 would codify the Department of Environmental Protection's recycling awards program to annually recognize outstanding recycling achievements. Filed Feb. 14.
'Green' drycleaners benefit under measure
Illinois: House Bill 2302 amends the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act, adding that green solvents are not drycleaning solvents for the purpose of the act. The bill outlines that on and after Jan. 1, 2014, no annual licensure fee is required for a facility that uses green solvents exclusively. Introduced Feb. 19 and sent to a committee on rules.
Schools encouraged to go 'green'
New Jersey: Assembly Resolution 150 would encourage schools to purchase and use products made with recycled materials. Filed Feb. 14.
Food waste proposed for state's waste act
New Mexico: House Bill 551 would amend the state's Solid Waste Act to provide for recycling of food residual waste. The bill would also require performance report cards of state agency recycling by the Department of Finance and Administration. Introduced Feb. 13 and sent to a committee on energy and natural resources.
Cleanup guidelines outlined in bill
California: Assembly Bill 440 would require the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Regional Water Quality Control Board to adopt and post cleanup guidelines for the taking of a remedial and removal action. The bill would require a local agency to submit a cleanup plan, remediation plan or removal plan to the regional board for approval, only under specified conditions with regard to the responsible party. Introduced Feb. 15.
Bill tackles hazardous waste sites in Georgia
Georgia: House Bill 357 revises provisions relating to management of hazardous waste sites and provisions concerning enrollment, participation and administration of hazardous site remediation programs. Introduced Feb. 14 and sent to a committee on natural resources and environment.
Fund proposed for unclaimed deposits
Massachusetts: House Bill 2513 would establish a municipal recycling enhancement fund from certain grants and revenue provided from unclaimed beverage container deposits. Introduced Feb. 18.
Trash truck permits eliminated in bill
Iowa: House Bill 135 would strike provisions relating to annual permits for the operation of compact rubbish vehicles. Introduced Feb. 13 and sent to a committee on transportation.
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