The bill amends Chapter 16-111 of the General Laws, which focuses on "School Waste Recycling and Refuse Disposal." Key insertions include the definition of a "sharing table," designated for students to place unopened and safe food items for others, and a requirement for educational entities to conduct waste audits every three years in collaboration with the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC), starting January 1, 2022. These audits will generate reports with waste reduction strategies to be submitted to the Rhode Island Department of Education beginning January 1, 2026. The bill also mandates food service companies to prioritize sourcing at least 10% of their food from Rhode Island vendors, recycle organic waste, and donate unserved food to local food banks, with liability protections under certain conditions.

Additionally, the bill introduces penalties for non-compliance, including a $1,000 fine and disqualification from future Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Invitations for Bids (IFBs) for food services in educational settings. It requires educational entities to have at least one employee certified in composting and recycling by January 1, 2027, and extends the compliance date for organic waste recycling to January 1, 2028. The bill also establishes a littering prevention and recycling awareness program for students. Overall, the act aims to improve waste management practices in schools and foster environmental responsibility among students and staff.

Statutes affected:
5422: 23-18.9-17, 16-22-35