HB 1636-FN is a comprehensive bill designed to establish a container deposit, refund, recycle, and reuse system in New Hampshire. The bill sets up a producer responsibility organization (PRO) to manage a beverage container recycling redemption refund program, which will issue refunds to consumers for returned beverage containers. It includes labeling requirements, performance targets for the PRO, and mandates the creation of an Operations Advisory Committee and an Equity and Access Advisory Committee. The bill also specifies the redemption refund values for beverage containers and grants the Department of Environmental Services the authority to adjust these values. Retailers and organizations are given guidelines for the installation and operation of beverage container processing mechanisms, with space requirements based on store size, and certain retailers are exempt from these requirements. The bill also outlines penalties for various violations related to beverage container redemption, including fines and imprisonment for individuals and civil penalties for organizations.

The bill defines key terms related to the beverage industry and recycling, and it requires various entities, such as drop-off facilities and material recovery facilities, to report on recyclable materials and establishes a distributor and importer responsibility organization. This organization will be responsible for installing and maintaining beverage container processing mechanisms, and it will fund the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the chapter. The bill sets ambitious annual redemption and recycling rate targets, with penalties for non-compliance. It also requires the organization to establish advisory committees to provide feedback and ensure equitable access to the redemption system. Furthermore, the bill mandates a study on reusable beverage container infrastructure and establishes a grant program for related initiatives. The fiscal note indicates that the program will be funded by fees from member distributors or importers and will require the creation of two new full-time positions within the Department of Environmental Services, with initial funding from general funds. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, and includes provisions for revenue and expenditure estimates for future fiscal years, with a cap on the amount the organization may pay the Department annually.