To incentivize the reduction of residential waste disposal

The bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to set standards to reduce the amount of waste produced by each resident. Towns and cities must report their total residential waste by weight each year. If people in a town produce more than 500 pounds of waste per person per year, that town has to start a program to cut down on waste. If towns don't meet the standards, they have to explain why and create a plan to improve. If the whole state doesn't reduce waste enough by 2025, stricter rules will be introduced.

MA H1036 is a house bill in the Massachusetts 194th General Court, sponsored by David Rogers (D), currently “Introduced” since February 27, 2025.

We track 6,464 Massachusetts bills this session, 40 of them sponsored by David Rogers.

Supporters of the bill would highlight its proactive approach to reducing waste and protecting the environment. They would emphasize the incentives for towns to adopt waste reduction programs, align with greenhouse gas reduction goals, and create green jobs. The requirements for performance reporting and structured plans for municipalities foster accountability and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing Massachusetts toward zero waste.

Critics might argue that the bill imposes burdensome regulations on municipalities, with strict reporting requirements and deadlines. They could express concern over potential costs for towns to implement new waste reduction programs, especially if the standards are not met. Some might view the statewide program triggered by unmet targets as an overreach that could infringe on local governance.