NWRA’s New Jersey Chapter Comments on Proposed EPR Legislation
Arlington, VA – The New Jersey chapter of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) sent comments to New Jersey State Sen. Bob Smith, chairman of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, on the development of extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations.
“NWRA and its member companies are committed to supporting the development of safe, sustainable and environmentally responsible recycling programs benefitting communities throughout the state,” said Lew Dubuque, NWRA vice president of chapter management. “However, a statewide EPR program for all packaging materials and paper products has the potential to upend New Jersey’s existing recycling programs, may have lasting impacts on innovation and investment and could do more harm than good if not enacted in a thoughtful manner.”
Should New Jersey push forward with an EPR program, the New Jersey chapter offered several recommendations, including:
- An advisory committee representing stakeholder interests
- A comprehensive statewide needs assessment before any EPR program is enacted
- EPR legislation must recognize and protect existing recycling infrastructure
- Local governments and residents should retain control over local recycling solutions
- Any EPR legislation should focus strictly on residential service
###
ABOUT NWRA
The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) represents the private sector waste and recycling services industry. Association members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that manage waste, recycling and medical waste, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and various other service providers. For more information about NWRA, please visit www.wasterecycling.org.
CONTACT
Brandon Wright
National Waste & Recycling Association
bwright@wasterecycling.org
202-364-3706
