NH Solid Waste Working Group Holds Organizational Meeting

The NH Solid Waste Working Group, which is designed to assist the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) with planning for New Hampshire's solid waste future, held its organizational meeting on Friday, October 29 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.  The meeting included a discussion of HB 413, the selection of Representative Karen Ebel as Chair of the Working Group, and a discussion of member interests in participating in the group.  Reagan Bissonnette, NRRA Executive Director, and representatives from several NRRA member communities are members of the group and attended.  A recording of the meeting is also available.   

The meeting began with introductions by each member of the Working Group.  Next followed a discussion of HB 413, including its establishment of the Solid Waste Working Group, a new statewide disposal reduction goal, new requirements for the state solid waste plan, and revised composting rules.  Following a nomination by Reagan for Representative Karen Ebel to chair the Working Group, Representative Ebel was unanimously voted to chair the group.  Attendees were then invited to share their specific interests in participating in the group.  Topics discussed included construction and demolition debris, food scrap composting, landfill capacity planning, medical waste, landfill bans in neighboring states, the NH solid waste hierarchy, anaerobic digestion, recycling, and PFAS.  Reagan shared that recycling markets have improved notably compared to a year ago.  

Future meetings are expected to be held at the NHDES Office at 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301 with remote access available via GoToWebinar.  NRRA will provide periodic updates for NRRA members about the solid waste working group's activities, including an announcement of the next meeting date when available.