Signed by Governor Tom Wolf

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that defines waste classification in the recycling industry to encourage investment.

Highlights:

• Amends the Solid Waste Management Act to include the following actions for planning and regulation of solid waste (Sec. 1):

• Storage;

• Collection;

• Transportation;

• Processing;

• Treatment; and

• Disposal.

• Defines "advanced recycling" as a manufacturing process of polymers into any of the following (Sec. 103): 

• Basic hydrocarbon raw materials, feedstocks, chemicals, liquid fuels, waxes, and lubricants; or

• Other products like monomers, oligomers, plastics, crude oil, and liquid transportation fuels.

• Defines “municipal waste” as any garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom or office waste and other material including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting from the operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities (Sec. 103).

• Specifies that “processing” includes the following (Sec. 103):

• Any method or technology used for the purpose of reducing the volume or bulk of municipal or residual waste or any method or technology used to convert part or all of such waste materials for off-site reuse; and

• Transfer facilities, composting facilities, and resource recovery facilities.

• Specifies that “processing” does not include collection or processing center that is only

for source-separated recyclable materials, including clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel, and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper, and plastics (Sec. 103).

• Specifies that “solid waste” does not include coal ash nor drill cuttings (Sec. 103).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that defines waste classification in the recycling industry to encourage investment.

Highlights:

• Amends the Solid Waste Management Act to include the following actions for planning and regulation of solid waste (Sec. 1):

• Storage;

• Collection;

• Transportation;

• Processing;

• Treatment; and

• Disposal.

• Defines "advanced recycling" as a manufacturing process of polymers into any of the following (Sec. 103): 

• Basic hydrocarbon raw materials, feedstocks, chemicals, liquid fuels, waxes, and lubricants; or

• Other products like monomers, oligomers, plastics, crude oil, and liquid transportation fuels.

• Defines “municipal waste” as any garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom or office waste and other material including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting from the operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities (Sec. 103).

• Specifies that “processing” includes the following (Sec. 103):

• Any method or technology used for the purpose of reducing the volume or bulk of municipal or residual waste or any method or technology used to convert part or all of such waste materials for off-site reuse; and

• Transfer facilities, composting facilities, and resource recovery facilities.

• Specifies that “processing” does not include collection or processing center that is only

for source-separated recyclable materials, including clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel, and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper, and plastics (Sec. 103).

• Specifies that “solid waste” does not include coal ash nor drill cuttings (Sec. 103).

Full Bill Text