The bill mandates that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulate scrap metal facilities as recycling facilities, replacing the term "scrap processing facility" with "scrap metal facility." This new definition encompasses any facility that receives, stores, transfers, or processes scrap metal for recycling, resale, or reuse, while also introducing a definition for "scrap metal" that includes various ferrous and non-ferrous metal objects, excluding certain residues and liquid wastes. The bill also updates definitions related to recycling and the handling of lead acid batteries, ensuring that used batteries are managed by designated facilities, including scrap metal facilities, for proper recycling.

To enhance regulation, the bill requires scrap metal facility owners or operators to register with the DEP within one year of the bill's effective date, paying a registration fee of $700 with annual renewals. The DEP will use this registration information to establish operational and management requirements, including specific standards for facilities operating shredders to mitigate fire risks and manage waste. The bill also empowers the DEP to create a regulatory program for these facilities within 18 months and allows for inspections and penalties for non-compliance, treating violations as breaches of the Solid Waste Management Act.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1E-99.12, 13:1E-199, 13:1E-200, 13:1E-201, 13:1E-202, 13:1E-203, 13:1E-207, 13:1E-96.5