This bill establishes a new chapter in the General Laws entitled "Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging." The purpose of this chapter is to address the burden of recycling and disposing of packaging waste on towns and cities in Rhode Island. It aims to reduce non-reusable, non-recyclable, and toxic packaging and achieve a more equitable relationship between packaging producers and local governments and communities. The bill defines various terms related to packaging and establishes a packaging reduction and recycling program overseen by the Department of Environmental Management. Producers who sell products in packaging will be required to pay fees based on the quantity and type of packaging used, and these fees will be used to fund the administration of the program and support projects that reduce packaging waste. The bill also includes provisions for conducting a statewide packaging reduction, reuse, and recycling needs assessment, as well as an annual audit of the program.

This bill also introduces new requirements for packaging reduction, recycling, and toxic reduction. Producers are required to reduce the amount of packaging used by certain percentages by weight within specified timeframes. Producers are also required to ensure that the packaging used is made of a material that meets certain recycling rates. The bill establishes a process for designating and prohibiting toxic substances in packaging, and violations of these requirements can result in fines. The bill also establishes the Office of Inspector General within the Department of Environmental Management to evaluate the programs created by this chapter and enforce compliance with the requirements. The Department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement and enforce this chapter.