What's happening
This bill requires all New York state and municipal agencies to establish composting programs and report annually on their effectiveness and costs.
Why it matters
Creates a standardized approach to composting across all state and local government buildings. , which could set a visible example for residents and businesses, potentially driving broader cultural change around waste reduction and sustainability.
Mandates clear procedures for separating and handling compostable waste. , including staff training and signage, which could significantly reduce landfill waste and contamination of recycling streams, improving overall waste management efficiency.
Requires annual data collection and public reporting on composting efforts and costs. , promoting transparency and accountability. This data could inform future environmental policies and help identify areas for improvement or expansion.
Allows flexibility in how agencies manage compost (on-site processing, private collection, or self-transport). , which could encourage innovation and adaptation to local capacity, but may also lead to uneven implementation and require oversight to ensure program effectiveness.
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Who cares
State and municipal agencies
They would have to establish composting programs in buildings they own, occupy or operate, starting one year after the bill takes effect, and later report collection amounts and costs annually.
State and municipal agency employees
Agencies would have to ensure employees separate compostable waste into labeled containers rather than mix it with garbage or recyclables.
Private waste carters
Agencies could hire them to collect compostable waste, which would have to be transported or processed separately from garbage and recycling.
Department of Environmental Conservation
It would receive agency reports and publish annual evaluations of composting programs, including costs and collection rates.
Headline styles
Require Statewide Compost Programs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Start Statewide Composting Programs
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Julia Salazar
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6664
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. EPSTEIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to establishing state and municipal composting programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Article 27 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new title 30 to read as follows:
TITLE 30
STATE AND MUNICIPAL COMPOSTING PROGRAMS Section 27-3001. State and municipal composting programs. § 27-3001. State and municipal composting programs.
1. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "agency" means any department, agency, board, public benefit corporation, public authority, or commission;
(b) "compostable" means all the materials in the product will (i) undergo degradation by biological processes during composting to yield carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate consistent with other known compostable materials; and (ii) leave no visible, distinguishable or toxic residue, including no adverse impact on the ability of composts to support plant growth once the finished compost is placed in soil; and
(c) "municipal" means a village, town, city, or county.
2. Beginning one year after the effective date of this section, all state and municipal agencies shall establish a composting program in buildings owned, occupied or operated by such agencies that shall, at a minimum:
(a) require that all compostable waste including but not limited to food scraps, plant trimmings, food-soiled paper and certified composta-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10515-01-9
A. 6664 2
ble products from garbage and other recyclables be separated and placed in labeled containers;
(b) post and maintain signs with instructions on identifying and separating compostable waste from garbage and recyclables;
(c) ensure agency employees place compostable waste in appropriately labeled containers and do not mix such waste with garbage or recyclables;
(d) ensure containers are latched at the time of storage or set-out; and
(e) arrange for compostable waste to be transported and/or processed separately from garbage and recycling.
3. Each state and municipal agency may arrange for collection of compostable waste by a private carter, transport such waste itself or process such waste on-site.
4. Beginning one year after the establishment of the program pursuant to subdivision two of this section, and annually thereafter, each state and municipal agency shall report to the department on such program, including, but not limited to (i) the amount of compostable waste collected; and (ii) the costs associated with such program.
5. By December first, two thousand twenty-two, and annually thereafter, the department shall post a report on its website detailing agency composting programs in the state. Such report shall include an evaluation of the effectiveness of such composting programs, and information on costs and collection rates.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.