The bill authorizes the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to establish a recycle credit program, which includes the issuance, sale, or transfer of recycle credits. A recycle credit is defined as a transferable credit issued by the department for every ton of recyclable materials used by a recycler to produce a new product or energy source. The department will issue these credits upon receiving an application from a recycler and may charge a fee for this service. The bill also outlines the expiration of recycle credits, which occurs either three years after issuance or upon transfer to a solid waste disposal facility, and establishes a recycle credit market for the transfer of these credits.

Additionally, the bill imposes civil penalties for violations related to the falsification or fraudulent transfer of recycle credits or certificates. The department is tasked with adopting rules to administer the program and is limited to issuing no more than 50 million credits or certificates per calendar year. A transfer of a recycle credit is only valid if registered with the department within 30 days, accompanied by a registration fee. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-27-2
Engrossed: 22-27-2