The proposed bill establishes the School Plastics Upcycling Grant Program within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to financially support eligible schools based on the amount of plastics they collect for upcycling. The program will award grants to schools, enabling them to purchase school-appropriate furnishings made from upcycled plastics. Key terms such as "authorized upcycler," "collected plastics," and "eligible applicant school" are defined, and eligibility criteria for grant funding are outlined. The program will operate on a pilot basis for three years, after which the Commissioner of Environmental Protection can recommend its continuation based on an effectiveness evaluation report.

Additionally, the bill details the application process for schools, requiring them to report on their plastic collection activities and specify the types of furnishings they wish to acquire. It mandates that at least 80% of grant funds be used for purchasing furnishings, with up to 20% allocated for administrative costs. Schools can roll over unspent funds for future use, and annual reporting on expenditures and program outcomes is required. The Commissioner will develop a funding formula for fair grant distribution and maintain a list of authorized upcyclers to facilitate the program.