This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to engage a qualified consultant through a competitive bidding process to perform a Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment. This assessment will analyze the current state of recycling, composting, and packaging reuse, identifying existing gaps, costs, and needs. To support this initiative, the bill allocates $500,000 from the General Fund. The final assessment must be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature by June 1, 2027, with a draft due to the newly formed Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council by December 31, 2026.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council within the DEP, composed of members appointed by the DEP commissioner, ensuring diverse representation from stakeholders such as material recovery facilities, haulers, local governments, and environmental organizations. The council will guide the needs assessment, review packaging legislation from other states, and recommend a producer responsibility program for packaging. The council will be dissolved 30 days after the final assessment is submitted, with the aim of improving recycling initiatives in New Jersey through expert recommendations and insights.