Establishes Compost Fund to award grants related to reducing the amount of solid waste generated in the state.

Rhode Island Compost Fund Bill

This bill would create a dedicated "Compost Fund" in Rhode Island designed to reduce the amount of trash and waste produced across the state. The fund would provide grants — meaning money that doesn't have to be paid back — to support composting programs and efforts to divert organic waste (things like food scraps and yard waste) away from landfills and into more environmentally beneficial uses.

The grants from this fund could potentially benefit a wide range of groups, including local municipalities, schools, nonprofits, businesses, or community organizations that want to start or expand composting programs. By redirecting organic material away from the regular waste stream, the goal is to reduce how much solid waste Rhode Island needs to dispose of overall, which can lower costs and environmental impacts associated with landfills.

At this point, the bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House and referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee, with a hearing scheduled for April 7, 2026. It is still in the early stages of the legislative process, meaning the specific details — such as the total amount of funding, who exactly qualifies for grants, and how applications would be reviewed — may still be subject to discussion and revision before any final vote.