Senate Bill 269, known as the "Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act," addresses the critical issue of packaging waste in Tennessee, which currently makes up nearly one-third of solid municipal waste, with only 12% being recycled. The bill aims to create jobs and establish a sustainable funding mechanism for local recycling systems while engaging packaging producers in reducing and reusing materials. It introduces a new part to the Tennessee Code Annotated under Title 68, Chapter 211, which outlines the framework for managing packaging waste effectively. Key definitions are established, including "covered materials," "producer," and "producer responsibility organization," and it mandates the formation of a producer responsibility program advisory board appointed by the commissioner of environment and conservation, reflecting the state's demographic diversity.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) in enhancing recycling, composting, and reuse of materials. It requires the advisory board to conduct needs assessments every five years and submit various reports, including a producer responsibility plan proposal by July 1, 2029. The legislation emphasizes public transparency, mandating that advisory board records be public and meetings comply with open meeting laws. Additionally, it establishes reimbursement rates for service providers based on regional costs and other factors, introduces penalties for non-compliance, and allows local governments to opt into the producer responsibility plans. The bill is set to take effect upon becoming law for rule promulgation, with full implementation scheduled for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-29-249(a), 4-29-249