Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JAMES J. KENNEDY
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman SHAMA A. HAIDER
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman STERLEY S. STANLEY
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes schools to receive and compost food waste from other schools, under certain conditions.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning food waste generated by schools and supplementing Title 13 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, notwithstanding the provisions of any State law, or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or a district solid waste management plan adopted pursuant to P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.) to the contrary, a school may deliver, or provide for the delivery of, compostable food waste generated by the school to another school in the State, provided that the receiving school:
(1) accepts the food waste;
(2) composts the food waste using an on-site, in-vessel composting system; and
(3) does not accept food waste in excess of the capacity of its in-vessel composting system.
b. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a school that is subject to the provisions of P.L.2020, c.24 (C.13:1E-99.122 et al.). A school that is subject to the provisions of P.L.2020, c.24 (C.13:1E-99.122 et al.) shall dispose of its food waste in accordance with that law.
c. As used in this section:
"Compostable" means capable of undergoing aerobic biological decomposition such that the material breaks down into, or otherwise become part of, usable compost in a safe and timely manner.
"In-vessel composting system" means a system of composting compostable waste in which the waste is entirely enclosed, except for ventilation ducts or other means of ventilation, within a building, container, or other vessel.
"School" means a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school offering education in grades K through 12, or any combination thereof, at which a child may legally fulfill compulsory school attendance requirements.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would authorize a school to receive and compost food waste from another school, provided that the receiving school accepts the food waste, composts the food waste using an in-vessel composting system, and does not accept food waste in excess of the capacity of its in-vessel composting system. The bill would not apply to schools that are covered under P.L.2020, c.24 (C.13:1E-99.122 et al.), which would continue to dispose of their food waste pursuant to that law.
As used in the bill, "in-vessel composting system" means a system of composting compostable waste in which the waste is entirely enclosed, except for ventilation ducts or other means of ventilation, within a building, container, or other vessel.