The "Electronic Cigarette Extended Producer Responsibility Act" establishes a framework for managing the environmental impact of e-cigarette waste in New Jersey. It requires producers of e-cigarettes to join a producer responsibility organization (PRO) within two years of the bill's enactment. This PRO is tasked with developing an e-cigarette stewardship plan that must be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The plan should ensure that at least 90% of residents have access to collection sites within 15 miles of their homes and that these sites are equitably distributed. Additionally, the PRO will implement a fee system for producers based on the quantity of e-cigarettes sold and their environmental impact, with the plan needing updates every five years.

To enforce compliance, the bill grants the DEP, municipalities, and county environmental agencies the authority to impose civil penalties for violations. Producers that fail to join the PRO after six years will be prohibited from selling e-cigarettes, with civil administrative penalties of up to $10,000 for violations and a $500 penalty for selling prohibited e-cigarettes. The legislation emphasizes the importance of environmentally sound management practices and aims to reduce the negative effects of e-cigarette waste on the environment while promoting accountability among producers.