Connecticut Senate Bill SB00352

Connecticut 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/22
• Refer: 3/4/22

Caption

An Act Authorizing Certain Advanced Recycling Industry Facilities.

Impact

The bill, going into effect on October 1, 2022, explicitly states that certain advanced recycling facilities will be exempt from existing requirements pertaining to solid waste facilities, allowing them to bypass stringent regulations that traditionally govern waste management. This exemption is intended to stimulate the growth of advanced recycling technologies that can mitigate waste by transforming plastics and other materials into new products, thereby helping to reduce the overall volume of solid waste in the state.

Summary

SB00352 aims to authorize specific advanced recycling facilities within Connecticut, seeking to update and amend the definitions and regulations surrounding solid waste management. This legislation will replace previous statutes regarding the operations of recycling facilities and clarify requirements for advanced recycling processes. The primary intent is to create a regulatory framework that supports innovative recycling technologies that can convert post-use polymers and recovered feedstocks into usable raw materials and products, potentially enhancing the state's sustainability efforts.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding SB00352 is its potential impact on traditional waste management practices and local government authority in solid waste management. Critics argue that the bill may dilute essential environmental protections by allowing advanced recycling facilities to operate under fewer regulatory constraints. There are concerns that such leniency could lead to environmental risks if these facilities do not adequately manage residues and emissions produced during their processes. Proponents, however, assert that the bill will promote innovation in recycling and bolster economic growth by attracting advanced recycling industries to Connecticut.