As the Ocean State seeks solutions to improve its recycling outcomes, the Coalition for High Performance Recycling (CHPR) 鈥� a diverse group of consumer brands, environmental nonprofits, material manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and trade associations 鈥� is praising new legislation aimed at reforming Rhode Island鈥檚 recycling system. The legislation, which will benefit municipalities, the economy, environment, and sustainable manufacturing, stems from a recent report from the Special Joint Legislative Commission on Plastic Bottle Waste.
The bill was introduced in the House ( HB 6207) by Representative Carol McEntee (D-South Kingstown and Narragansett) and will be sponsored in the Senate by Senator Mark P. McKenney (D-Warwick) 鈥� both co-chairs of the Commission. The legislation proposes an integrated recycling system using two proven strategies:
1. A Bottle Bill that incentivizes consumers to return empty beverage containers for a refund, and;
2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a policy that holds paper and packaging producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their materials, including recycling.
鈥淭his approach will boost recycling rates in Rhode Island, reduce litter, and pollution, and deliver economic and environmental benefits, all while saving taxpayer dollars,鈥� said CHPR Rhode Island Co-Chair Scott Breen. 鈥淭hese bills are game changers for the environment, industry, and Rhode Islanders alike. Together, this policy approach will create and foster a more circular and sustainable economy. CHPR applauds this legislation and urges lawmakers to join their colleagues in modernizing and reforming Rhode Island鈥檚 recycling system. They are better together.鈥�
鈥淥ver the past 18 months, the study commission heard from experts from around the country on the best policy options for reducing litter and improving recycling,” said Jed Thorp, Director of Advocacy at Save The Bay. “It’s clear that the best path forward is to create both a ‘bottle bill’ system for beverage containers and a producer responsibility program for other packaging. Legislation introduced today will do exactly that.”
Despite the fact that 80% of Rhode Island households have access to recycling, the state鈥檚 overall recycling rate stands at just 26%. Consequently, more than 121,000 tons of recyclable material are lost annually to the near-capacity Central Landfill.聽 The cost to landfill these recyclables cost municipalities millions of dollars in unnecessary fees. Providence alone has spent $4.2 million to landfill rejected recyclables since 2021.
Rhode Island would be the first state in the nation to implement both recycling policies via a single bill to deliver the best results at the lowest cost.