Model Legislation

Glass Minimum Post Consumer Recycled Content Model Legislation


The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) convened a Work Group to develop model legislation for minimum post-consumer recycled content requirements for glass beverage and food containers, and fiberglass insulation. View the Glass Minimum Post Consumer Recycled Content Model Legislation. 


Work Group Chairs:

  • Chris Nelson, Supervising Environmental Analyst of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
  • Stephen Burm, Director of State Government Affairs at Anheuser-Busch with technical assistance from Ed Ferguson, Director of Sustainability at Anheuser-Busch.


The goals for developing the model legislation were to:

  • Develop markets for post-consumer glass containers.
  • Increase the use of post-consumer glass containers in the manufacture of new beverage and food containers and fiberglass insulation.

 

Stakeholders invited to participate in the Work Group included: 

  • Brands
  • Glass Container Manufacturers
  • Fiberglass Insulation Manufacturers
  • Glass Recyclers/Beneficiators
  • Industry Associations
  • Distributors/Retailers
  • Haulers/Material Recycling Facility Operators
  • State Environmental Agencies
  • State Recycling Organizations
  • Environmental Advocacy Groups

Minimum PCR Content Requirements for Plastic Products and Packaging Model Legislation


In 2020, NEWMOA and NERC partnered to develop model post-consumer recycled content legislation for targeted plastic products and packaging. Through this initiative, the organizations were focused on:

  • Encouraging a circular economy in plastics
  • Promoting conservation of resources and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts of producing plastics products from petroleum and gas
  • Strengthening domestic markets for products made with post-consumer plastics
  • Increasing stability in the plastic scrap markets


In August 2022, NERC and NEWMOA announced the publication of Model Minimum Postconsumer Recycled Content Requirements for Plastic Products and Packaging Legislation. A joint workgroup of state recycling officials worked from 2020 to 2022 on the model legislation. The model incorporates many of the suggestions received from 37 organizations and individuals during a public comment period in early 2022.


This Model bill would require producers of covered plastic products and packaging to use a specified amount of minimum postconsumer recycled content, phased in over time. The covered plastic packaging and products include film bags, single-use containers used for food, beverages, household cleaning, and personal care products, and rigid plastic containers. The Model does not address all types of plastic products and packaging.


The Workgroup included the following state agency individuals:

  • Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Sherill Baldwin, Chris Nelson

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