New Hampshire Solid Waste Management Hierarchy and Recycling

Under RSA 149-M:2 and RSA 149-M:3, New Hampshire law adopts a solid waste management hierarchy: source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy, and landfilling as the last resort. The state established a 40% statewide weight-based diversion goal. Each municipality must adopt a Solid Waste Management Plan reviewed by NHDES under RSA 149-M:24. Specific bans on items like cathode ray tubes and lead-acid batteries (RSA 149-M:57) apply universally, but the choice of curbside, drop-off, or pay-as-you-throw recycling is left to municipalities. State law preempts municipalities from disposing of banned items regardless of local programs.

Municipalities failing to adopt required plans may face DES enforcement action; generators violating disposal bans face fines up to $5,000 per day under RSA 149-M:12.