New Hampshire Statewide Rule
New Hampshire Solid Waste Management Hierarchy and Recycling
Key Facts
- Diversion Goal
- 40% statewide
- Hierarchy
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Plans Required
- Each municipality
- Statute
- RSA 149-M
- Oversight
- NHDES
Summary
RSA 149-M establishes a statewide solid waste management hierarchy prioritizing source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting before disposal. The state has set a 40% diversion goal and requires municipalities to plan recycling, though specific programs are local.
II. (a) No person shall dispose of any wet-cell batteries, lithium-ion batteries, or electronic devices in any solid waste landfill facility or incinerator in New Hampshire.
Full Breakdown
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 disposal bans on items like batteries, electronics, and leaf and yard waste (RSA 149-M:27) 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.
Violations & Penalties
Municipalities failing to adopt required plans may face DES enforcement action; generators violating disposal bans face civil penalties up to $25,000 per day under RSA 149-M:15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Hampshire require curbside recycling?
What is New Hampshire's recycling goal?
Sources
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