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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1279 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 626
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to consider adoption of aspects of the German Green Dot Waste Reduction Standards.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Dixon60 Lake St Apt N Winchester MA 01890 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1279 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 626
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 626) of Vincent Dixon,
for legislation to consider adoption of aspects of the German Green Dot Waste Reduction
Standards. Environment and Natural Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 522 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to consider adoption of aspects of the German Green Dot Waste Reduction Standards.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION I – LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE
2 The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the following new
3chapter:
4 An Act to Consider Adoption of Particular Waste Reduction Standards (PWRS).
5 PURPOSE – It is significant to the general, and specific, public health of the residents,
6businesses, and other enterprises that live, and operate in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
7that there are various problems arising from, the creation of various forms of waste, and distinct
8constraints on the disposal of waste, and trash of various kinds. This is especially true in
9congested, urban areas, but also has known, and unknown, effects on the general environment, 2 of 3
10whether watersheds, air, wetlands, useful lands of all kinds, and oceans. In recent years, this
11situation has become more severe, and these are a series of problems that can be addressed in
12various ways.
13 SECTION II – ANALYSIS
14 1.) In dealing with various forms of waste processing, demand side reduction can, and
15must be, an important part of overall waste management policies.
16 2.) While recycling is valuable, the reduction of packaging waste, by improved packaging
17design, and direct conceptual design elements, by manufacturers, and delivery services, can be
18effective, as part of a broader set of policies.
19 3.) The provisions of this statute, are adopted, for the purposes of consistency, of
20manufacturing, retail, and other commercial activities, and transactions, across the
21Commonwealth. They recognize that while local ordinances have value, that there should be a
22degree of consistency, actions, and improved recommendations, therefore, for environmentally
23friendly policies, across the entire Commonwealth.
24 4.) This statute authorizes relevant state authorities to consider, and adopt Particular
25Waste Reduction Standards (PWRS); through Regulatory Processes, that may include financial
26incentives, and other mechanisms, for businesses to design product packaging, and mailing
27materials, that reduce the amount of materials in their packages, while maintaining the safety of
28products that are sent, and/or delivered.
29 SECTION III – ADDITIONAL COOPERATIVE AUTHORITIES 3 of 3
30 Various provisions of this statute, and additional proposed regulations, may be utilized, at
31the discretion of local municipal, legislative, and/or executive authorities.