The 2026 New Hampshire legislative session is underway, and several bills related to solid waste management and recycling are moving through the State House. NH Recycles tracks legislation that may affect municipal recycling programs, transfer stations, and solid waste operations across the state.
NH Recycles does not take positions for or against legislation, but we may provide testimony to help lawmakers understand how proposed policies could impact our member communities and the day-to-day operations of local recycling and waste management programs.
Below is a brief overview of key bills currently moving through the legislative process.
Bills Advancing in the Legislature
Several bills have received “Ought to Pass” recommendations from legislative committees and are continuing through the process:
- HB707-FN / HB1189-FN – Establishes a Solid Waste Site Evaluation Committee. The bill has advanced with amendment and is now before the Senate Finance Committee.
- HB451-FN / HB1198-FN – Creates a Paint Product Stewardship Program, requiring paint manufacturers to support a statewide system for managing leftover paint. The bill has passed legislative committees and has been sent to the Governor, though it will likely be vetoed.
- HB1138 – Would limit the placement of out-of-state waste in New Hampshire landfills. The bill is currently before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
- HB1141 – Prohibits the extraction of groundwater for bottling in plastic bottles. The bill has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
- HB1192 – Exempts certain household pharmaceutical wastes from the definition of hazardous waste to clarify disposal requirements.
- HB1478-FN – Requires the Department of Environmental Services to revise rules for proposed new landfills.
- HB1602-FN – Establishes a battery recycling stewardship program, aimed at improving safe collection and management of batteries.
- HB1622-FN – Requires the state to develop additional solid waste disposal capacity.
Bills That Will Not Advance
Several proposed bills were voted “Inexpedient to Legislate”, meaning they will not move forward this session. These include proposals related to:
- Appropriating funding for the Solid Waste Management Fund (HB619-FN-A)
- Studying vape and e-cigarette disposal (HB1096)
- Creating a food waste diversion advisory commission (HB1282)
- Establishing a statewide beverage container redemption program (HB1679-FN)
Bills Sent to Interim Study
Some proposals have been moved to interim study, meaning legislators will review the issue further before deciding whether to reintroduce legislation in a future session.
- SB226-FN – Proposed suspending new landfill applications and studying the feasibility of solid waste incineration.
- SB556-FN – Proposed adding syringes and similar medical devices to the definition of special waste and making improper disposal a felony.
Bills Still in Committee
- SB593 – A bill related to landfills has completed its public hearing and remains under review in the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
NH Recycles will continue monitoring legislation throughout the session and will provide updates as bills move through the process.
Members looking for more details or the latest status of individual bills can follow legislative updates on the NH Recycles Solid Waste Legislation tracking page.