Declares it is the policy of the State under GS 143-58.2 for all State departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local school administrative units, to the extent economically practicable, to purchase and use, or require the purchase and use of, materials and supplies with compostable or recyclable content in food establishments operated under the auspices of the department, institution, agency, community college, and local school administrative unit. Updates name of the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach so that is referred to as the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (Division). Adds a new annual reporting requirement for all State departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local administrative units which have authority to purchase materials and supplies to require each entity to report to the Division on or before October 1 the amounts and types of materials and supplies with composable or recyclable content purchased during the previous fiscal year. Requires the Secretary of Administration and each State department listed above to review and revise its bid procedures and specifications for the purchase or use of materials and supplies to eliminate any procedures and specifications that explicitly discriminate against materials and supplies with recycled content, except where procedures and specifications are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this State (was, had to do this by January 1, 1995).
Amends GS 130A-309.14 to require State departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local school administrative units to report annually to the Division on the amounts and types of materials collected for recycling. Amends GS 130A-309.06 to expand upon the requirements of the report from DEQ to the Environmental Review Commission (ERC) to: (1) now require that the report also be submitted to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations; (2) require that the report include a summary of reports from State departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local school administrative units authorized to purchase materials and supplies on the amounts and types of materials and supplies with recycled content that were purchased during the previous fiscal year; (3) require that the report include a summary of the reports from those same entities on the amounts and types of materials collected for recycling during the previous fiscal year.  
Requires the NC Policy Collaboratory (Collaboratory) to study the issue of food service ware by examining 10 specific matters, including the environmental impacts of plastics pollution, pending and enacted legislation in other states to regulate food service ware, and alternatives to use of food service ware for serving or transporting food and beverages. Requires the Collaboratory to consult with stakeholders, including specified State departments, representatives of the environmental community, the NC Retail Merchants Association, and the NC Beverage Association. Requires the Committee to report to the 2026 Session of the 2025 General Assembly upon its convening. Defines food service ware as products, other than compostable or recyclable products, used by a food provider  that are designed for one-time use for serving or transporting prepared, ready-to-consume food  or beverages, including plates, cups, bowls, trays, utensils, straws, cup lids, and hinged or lidded containers.
Directs the Legislative Services Officer to evaluate opportunities to reduce the use of food service ware in food establishments and beverage services (provision of coffee, water, and other beverages at committee meetings and chambers) operated by the General Assembly and implement the measure at the earliest date that does not result in disposal prior to use of food service ware already procured on the date the act becomes law and does not impair contracts for purchase of food service ware in effect on the date the act becomes law. Establishes a pilot program run by Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) to eliminate the sale or provision of food or beverages in or with food service ware at five facilities selected by DNCR governed by the same timeline and requirements.  Directs the Legislative Services Officer and DNCR to each submit a preliminary report to the ERC by September 1, 2025, and a final report by March 1, 2026.
Appropriates $50,000 funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Collaboratory to carry out the study required above. Effective July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Filed: 143-58.2, 130A-309.14, 130A-309.06
Edition 1: 143-58.2, 130A-309.14, 130A-309.06