The proposed bill establishes the School Plastics Upcycling Grant Program within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide financial support to eligible schools based on the amount of plastics they collect for upcycling. The program will allocate $5 million in grant funding, distributed proportionally to schools according to their share of collected plastics. Key terms such as "authorized upcycler," "collected plastics," and "school-appropriate furnishings" are defined, and eligibility criteria require schools to demonstrate engagement in plastic collection activities and a commitment to donating collected plastics to authorized upcyclers.

The program will operate on a pilot basis for three years, with the possibility of continuation based on the commissioner's evaluation and available funding. Schools must submit applications detailing their plastic collection efforts and intended use of grant funds, with at least 80% of the funds required for purchasing upcycled furnishings and up to 20% for administrative costs. The commissioner will develop rules for grant applications and reporting requirements, and must submit annual reports evaluating the program's effectiveness. The bill emphasizes fair distribution of funds based on each school's pro rata share of collected plastics, ensuring equitable benefits for all eligible schools.