The New Jersey Senate has passed a bipartisan bill led by Senator Kristin Corrado aimed at reducing plastic waste and encouraging schools to repurpose recyclable materials into resources for students.
Senator Corrado emphasized the environmental impact of discarded plastics, stating, “Far too many plastics find their way into our waterways and even our food because we simply throw them away. This bill rewards schools that upcycle and turn plastic waste into practical, lasting resources. It’s a commonsense way to give our students more tools while protecting our environment.”
The legislation, identified as S-1441, proposes the creation of a grant program for both public and private schools. Under this program, schools would receive grants based on the volume of plastic they collect for upcycling. The bill mandates that at least 80% of grant funds be used to purchase durable furnishings from approved upcyclers, with the remaining portion allocated for administrative expenses.
To maintain accountability, participating schools must submit expenditure reports demonstrating responsible use of funds.
Further details about the bill are available in its full text online.
