The bill S.139, introduced by Senators Watson, Hardy, Harrison, Lyons, and White, mandates the Secretary of Natural Resources to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment regarding the management of materials discarded from packaging distributed in Vermont. The assessment aims to evaluate the current status of packaging material reuse, recycling, and disposal, identify barriers and opportunities for reducing waste, and explore ways to enhance the recyclability and safety of packaging materials, particularly plastics. The Secretary is required to submit the findings and any legislative recommendations by January 15, 2027, and is allocated $250,000 from the General Fund to contract an external organization for this assessment.

Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of chemical conversion technologies in the state, which includes various processes that transform plastic into fuels or other materials. It explicitly forbids the construction or operation of facilities that utilize these technologies and prohibits the state from providing any financial incentives for such developments. The definitions of chemical conversion technologies and recycling are clarified, emphasizing that recycling does not include chemical conversion processes. This act is set to take effect upon passage.