BILL AS INTRODUCED H.280
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VT LEG #379375 v.1
H.280 1
Introduced by Representatives Masland of Thetford, Higley of Lowell, 2
Mrowicki of Putney, and Olson of Starksboro 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Conservation and development; solid waste; expanded polystyrene 6
foam; densifier; siting assessment 7
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the 8
Secretary of Natural Resources to conduct an assessment of the feasibility of 9
siting an EPS foam densifier in the State to serve as a location to transport 10
waste EPS foam for recycling or reuse. 11
An act relating to the siting of an expanded polystyrene foam densifier in 12
the State 13
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 14
Sec. 1. ASSESSMENT OF THE FEASIBILITY OF SITING AN 15
EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE FOAM DENSIFIER IN THE STATE 16
(a) As used in this section: 17
(1) “EPS foam densifier” means a machine that shears, compresses, and 18
heats waste EPS foam into a uniform melt that can be formed into blocks or 19
other shapes for transport and ultimate reuse. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.280
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(2) “Expanded polystyrene foam” or “EPS foam” means a thermoplastic 1
petrochemical material utilizing the styrene monomer that is processed 2
according to multiple techniques, including fusion of polymer spheres, 3
injection molding, form molding, and extrusion-blow molding. 4
(b) The Secretary of Natural Resources shall assess the feasibility of siting 5
an EPS foam densifier in the State to serve as a site to transport waste EPS 6
foam for recycling or reuse. The Secretary shall coordinate with interested 7
parties in conducting the assessment, including solid waste management 8
entities, solid waste haulers, and representative of businesses that generate 9
waste EPS foam through manufacturing or shipping. On or before January 15, 10
2026, the Secretary of Natural Resources shall submit to the House Committee 11
on Environment and Energy and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources 12
and Energy a report with the results of the site assessment. The report shall 13
include: 14
(1) a recommendation of whether an EPS foam densifier should be sited 15
in Vermont, where it should be sited, and what entity would run the densifier; 16
(2) an estimate of the cost of the EPS foam densifier to purchase and 17
operate; 18
(3) a recommendation of whether EPS foam should be banned from 19
landfill disposal if an EPS foam densifier is located in the State; and 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.280
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VT LEG #379375 v.1
(4) a proposal of how solid waste haulers, businesses, and the public 1
would access an EPS foam densifier for disposition of waste EPS foam. 2
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 3
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 4