Bill Text: NJ SR53 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges State and local governmental entities to utilize programs that collect and reuse often unrecycled and difficult-to-recycle waste.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2016-09-15 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR53 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SR53-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Urges State and local governmental entities to utilize programs that collect and reuse often unrecycled and difficult-to-recycle waste.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging State and local governmental entities to utilize programs that collect and reuse often unrecycled and difficult-to-recycle waste.
Whereas, In 2012, New Jersey generated over 20 million tons of solid waste and recycled 11 million tons, or 54 percent of the total amount of waste generated; and
Whereas, While the State has made great progress over the past several decades at increasing the amount of waste that is recycled, much remains to be done, as millions of tons of waste still ends up in landfills or is incinerated; and
Whereas, For example, in 2012, only 44 percent of all municipal solid waste generated in the State, which includes garbage from homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses, was recycled; and
Whereas, Waste that is placed into landfills or is incinerated releases toxic chemicals into the soil, groundwater, and atmosphere and emits greenhouse gases, such as methane, that contribute to climate change, thus posing a threat to the environment and to public health and safety; and
Whereas, Much of the waste that is placed in landfills or is incinerated is often unrecycled or difficult-to-recycle waste, such as cigarette butts, snack bags, single-brewing coffee pods, packaging materials, and office supplies, but the vast majority of these products may now be recycled using innovative recycling techniques; and
Whereas, Innovative companies, including at least one located in New Jersey, now collect this waste at little or no cost and either process it to make new raw materials, or repurpose it to make more useful products, a process known as "upcycling"; and
Whereas, Recycling this material reduces the negative environmental effects it would otherwise have if it were placed in landfills or incinerated, and reduces the amount of new raw materials that are needed to create products, thus conserving energy and natural resources; and
Whereas, In addition to its environmental benefits, recycling has created tens of thousands of jobs, and generated billions of dollars in economic activity in the State annually; and
Whereas, The sale of recycled and upcycled products has become an increasingly important part of the retail sector, comprising over 1,000 different products, which are affordable, readily available, and meet the highest quality standards; and
Whereas, By engaging in or using recycling programs that accept often unrecycled and difficult-to-recycle waste, the State and local governments can reduce their environmental footprint and help support the growth of a sustainable and beneficial industry; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges State and local governmental entities to utilize programs that collect and reuse often unrecycled and difficult-to-recycle waste products.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the State Treasurer, the New Jersey Association of Counties, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, the Association of Environmental Authorities of New Jersey, and the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.
STATEMENT
This resolution would urge State and local governmental entities to utilize programs that collect and reuse often unrecycled and difficult-to-recycle waste.
While the State has made great progress over the past several decades at increasing the amount of waste that is recycled, much remains to be done, as millions of tons of waste still ends up in landfills or is incinerated. For example, in 2012, only 44 percent of all municipal solid waste generated in the State, which includes garbage from homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses, was recycled. Waste that is placed into landfills or incinerated releases toxic chemicals into the soil, groundwater, and atmosphere and emits greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Much of this waste is often unrecycled or difficult-to-recycle waste, such as cigarette butts, snack bags, single-brewing coffee pods, packaging materials, and office supplies, but the vast majority of these products may now be recycled using innovative recycling techniques.
Innovative companies, including at least one located in New Jersey, now collect this waste at little or no cost and either process it to make new raw materials, or repurpose it to make more useful products, a process known as "upcycling." Recycling this material reduces the negative environmental effects it would otherwise have if it were placed in landfills or incinerators, and reduces the amount of new raw materials that are needed to create products, thus conserving energy and natural resources. In addition, recycling has created tens of thousands of jobs, and generated billions of dollars in economic activity in the State annually. The sale of recycled and upcycled products has become an increasingly important part of the retail sector, comprising over 1,000 different products, which are affordable, readily available, and meet the highest quality standards.
By engaging in or using recycling programs that accept often unrecycled and difficult-to-recycle waste, the State and local governments can reduce their environmental footprint and help support the growth of a sustainable and beneficial industry.
