The proposed bill seeks to amend various sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska concerning solid waste management and introduces new acts, including the Environmental Stewardship of Batteries Act, the Extended Producer Responsibility Data Collection Act, and the Minimum Recycled Content Act. It redefines terms related to solid waste management, establishes new manufacturing processes, and clarifies that manufacturing facilities are not classified as solid waste facilities. The bill also introduces a new disposal fee structure that will gradually increase, modifies the allocation of collected fees to include grants for private businesses, and emphasizes the importance of third-party certification systems for monitoring environmental impacts.

Additionally, the Environmental Stewardship of Batteries Act mandates that producers of covered batteries participate in an approved stewardship plan by January 1, 2027, and outlines responsibilities for retailers and stewardship organizations regarding battery disposal and recycling. The bill establishes requirements for battery collection sites, mandates educational outreach, and sets performance goals for stewardship organizations. It also introduces the Minimum Recycled Content Act, which requires manufacturers to use a minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled content in their products starting January 1, 2028, and allows for temporary waivers under certain conditions. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance battery recycling efforts, promote environmentally sound practices, and improve accountability among producers and stewardship organizations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13-2001, 13-2003, 13-2010, 13-2034, 13-2042, 81-1502