State Advocacy Updates (CA, CO, NJ, VT)

California

California is working on compostable products labelling requirements that are modelled on Washington State’s recently adopted requirement and continues to work on regulations to support climate pollutant reduction, which should be in place by end of the year. AB827 was just passed, requiring organics diversion programs to include front-facing receptables for organics if they are required to do back-of-house separation. California composters continue to monitor and strategize opposition to the expense of Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)-proposed regulations (such as enclosures, air control, 80% reduction in methane and VOCs) that cover MRFs, transfer stations, mulchers and landfills.

Colorado

The Colorado Composting Council (COCC) has been advocating meeting with an interim session state legislative Zero Waste Subcommittee about a bill requiring studies and surveys by the Department of Public Health & Environment and Department of Agriculture to better understand where generators, processing and sales take place. It was announced in early September that the bill will be considered by the subcommittee for introduction.

New Jersey

The New Jersey legislature passed a food waste recycling mandate in June 2019 which still permitted the disposal of food waste in landfills and incinerators. However, following a strong response from the USCC, NJ Composting Council and other groups, Governor Phil Murphy vetoed the legislation and directed the legislature to remove the provisions allowing the disposal of food waste in landfills and incinerators. The NJ Composting Council will engage with the New Jersey legislature as it resumes its efforts to pass a food waste recycling mandate.

Vermont

The Vermont Farm to Plate Food Cycle Coalition is holding an open meeting on recent interpretations of the state’s food waste disposal ban. Some grocers have switched their streams to out-of-state facilities, taking some of the largest contracts from Vermont’s compost facilities to depackager-A/D facilities, effectively outsourcing the separation of contaminants. Stakeholders in Vermont's citizenry are also concerned and will be attending.