New Jersey
Assembly Bill 2281
| Bill Number and Name | New Jersey Assembly Bill 2281 The “Smart Container Act” – Proposed Container Deposit Legislation |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle |
Activity
04/04/2016 Scheduled hearing with Environmental and Solid Waste Committee
02/04/2016 Introduced, referred to the Assembly Environmental and Solid Waste Committee
Summary
This bill will enact a beverage container redemption program in which consumers can refund empty, recyclable bottles (for example: glass containers, aluminum cans, plastic water bottles, etc.) to redemption centers for a specific value.
Beverages Covered
- Carbonated
- Noncarbonated
- Beer and Wine
- Non-alcoholic
Excluded Beverages
- Milk
- Non-dairy alternative
- Liquor
Deposits and Fees
An empty container with the volume of equal to or more than 8 oz and less than 24 oz will have a refund value of 10 cents. An empty container with the volume of equal than or more than 24oz and less than one gallon (or 3.8 L), will have a refund value of 20 cents.
- Distributors pay the initial deposit on each full beverage container to be sold in New Jersey
- 75% of unredeemed/unclaimed deposits will be deposited into an environmental fund; 25% redistributed to retailers and redemption centers by the NJ state treasurer as reimbursement
Redemption System
Return to retail and redemption center- redemption centers must make cash refunds to consumers and retailers
Penalties
Violations of this law may be punished by civil action commenced by a local board of health, a health department, or the commissioner and can be liable for a penalty of no more than $500 per day.
- Each day that the violation continues, it will be constituted as an additional, separate and distinct offense proceeded through a separate Penalty Enforcement Law
