IL SB1555

Establishes the Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Act to evaluate Illinois recycling infrastructure, capacity, costs, and gaps for packaging and paper products, with assessment funded through the Solid Waste Management Fund.

Creates a Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council with representatives from MRFs, haulers, local governments, retailers, environmental organizations, manufacturers, and environmental justice communities to guide and review the assessment.

Requires a comprehensive statewide needs assessment by May 1, 2026, examining current recycling rates (stagnant at less than 25%), collection systems, infrastructure capacity, costs to achieve 35-65% recycling rates by 2035, and equity issues in environmental justice communities.

Directs assessment to evaluate current conditions for reuse, recycling, and composting of packaging and paper products, including postconsumer recycled content usage, and assess multilingual public education needs to reduce contamination in material recovery facilities.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act to allow Solid Waste Management Fund monies to support administration of the Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Act alongside existing solid waste programs.