As we did last month when A-4118 was considered in the Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee, the League testified in Senate Environment and Energy Committee and raised concerns about the budget implications of S-203, which establishes statewide targets to reduce disposal of organic waste in landfills and requires DEP to adopt regulations to achieve targets
Since providing refuse collection and disposal is under the levy and appropriation caps, it not only has the potential to squeeze out other municipal priorities including public safety, recreation, and investment but also may force municipalities that provide this service to cease because it is too costly. As a result, residents will have to contract directly for pickup at their expense.
We noted that waste management costs have increased dramatically over the past few years, and that the Department of Community Affairs has allowed a one-time exception from the appropriations cap for refuse collection and disposal.
During the committee testimony, we suggested that if the legislature believes this is a program worthy of implementation, the State should fully fund it and be responsible for its execution. Absent that, we suggested that garbage, recycling, and this food waste program, including the reporting and enforcement costs, be removed from the 2% levy and appropriations caps.
The legislation was favorably reported from committee. The Assembly companion has been second referenced to the Assembly Children, Families, and Food Security Committee.
If your municipality provides trash removal as a service, we strongly encourage you to share information on the cost increases for trash collection and disposal over the past few years with your legislators.
Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.