This bill aims to prohibit the sale, distribution, and import of products or packaging that make deceptive claims about recyclability unless the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) determines that these items are widely recyclable. It establishes that any product or packaging displaying the "chasing arrows" symbol, unless verified as recyclable by the DEP, constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act. The bill outlines specific exceptions, such as products manufactured within 18 months of the DEP's material characterization study, and includes provisions for the DEP to conduct and update this study every five years, starting by January 1, 2024.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the DEP identify recyclable products based on their collection by curbside recycling programs serving at least 60% of the state's population and their sorting into defined streams by recycling facilities. It also specifies that products containing hazardous substances or certain chemicals, such as perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), cannot be deemed recyclable. The bill further allows the DEP to require recycling centers to submit annual reports on their operations to aid in the characterization study and amends existing laws regarding the labeling of plastic containers to align with these new regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1E-99.41