Policy Workshop: Legislation on Mandatory Waste Reduction & Universal Recycling. Rep. Jason Lewis presents his bill to increase recycling in MA.

1. An Act to Reduce Solid Waste,
Increase Recycling
and Generate Municipal Cost Savings
State Rep. Jason Lewis
MassRecycle R3 Conference
March 19, 2013

2. Pathway to Zero Waste
 This legislation will help the state achieve the solid waste
reduction goals in the Massachusetts Solid Waste Master Plan
 30% reduction by 2020
 80% reduction by 2050
 The bill takes a multi-faceted approach to reducing solid waste
and increasing recycling, recognizing that there is no “silver
bullet”

3. 1. Set Targets for Municipal Solid Waste Reduction
• Requires the DEP to establish annual performance targets
for municipal solid waste reduction
• Will be based on total per capita pounds of solid waste
disposed
• Goal is to bring poorly performing communities up to the
level of success achieved by “best practice” cities and towns

4. 2. Step Up Enforcement of Waste Bans
 Gives DEP the authority and responsibility to enforce waste
bans on generators, haulers, and disposal facilities
 Establishes allowable levels for banned materials
 Mandates frequent load inspections
 Assesses fines on haulers who exceed allowable amounts
 Goal is to step up enforcement and achieve widespread
compliance with waste bans

5. 3. Strengthen Oversight of Waste Haulers
 Haulers must register with the DEP and will be subject to
regulations and an administrative fee
 Haulers must document their methods for avoiding
disposal of recyclable materials
 Haulers shall provide collection services for both waste
and recyclable materials at a single rate, and must
provide appropriate receptacles
 Goal is to increase participation rates and accountability
among waste haulers

6. 4. Improve Data Collection and Reporting
 Municipalities, haulers and waste management facilities will be
required to report annually to DEP on amounts of solid waste handled
and disposed
 DEP will compile the data and make it available to the public
 Goal is to monitor progress against solid waste reduction goals and
hold entities accountable

7. 5. Provide Adequate Funding
 New “Zero Waste Fund” will be created under the authority of
the DEP
 DEP will be authorized to assess and collect a $1.50/ton
surcharge on all solid waste disposed in Massachusetts
 Registration fees and enforcement penalties will also be
deposited in this Fund
 Proceeds from the Fund will be used to support municipal and
other recycling efforts, assist waste haulers in meeting their
obligations, and fund other programs determined
by the DEP to help the state achieve its solid waste
reduction goals

8. “Solid wastes are the discarded leftovers of our
advanced consumer society. This growing mountain of garbage
and trash represents not only an attitude of indifference
toward valuable natural resources, but also a
serious economic and public health problem.”
- President Jimmy Carter
H758: An Act to Reduce Solid Waste, Increase
Recycling and Generate Municipal Cost Savings
Representative Jason Lewis
(617) 722-2017
Jason.Lewis@mahouse.gov
www.repjasonlewis.com