Rep. Ron Miller (R-York), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, this week introduced House Resolution 425 celebrating 25 years of recycling in Pennsylvania and urging DEP to review recycling programs and make recommendations for improvements.

“Statewide recycling in Pennsylvania began in 1988 with the Municipal Waste Planning Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101), which requires larger municipalities to recycle,” said Rep. Miller.  “Today, more than 11.6 million residents, at least 94 percent of the state's population, have access to recycling.

“While Pennsylvania has, to date, done an outstanding job creating and implementing effective recycling programs, we as a Commonwealth should continue to seek improvements in our recycling law,” said Rep. Miller.  “(My resolution) celebrates 25 years of successful recycling in the Commonwealth and directs the Department of Environmental Protection to review its recycling programs and make recommendations for improving recycling law.”

The text of the resolution follows--

Celebrating 25 years of successful recycling and urging the Department of Environmental Protection to review its recycling programs and report any recommendations for improvements.

WHEREAS, Statewide recycling in Pennsylvania began in 1988 with the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, which requires larger municipalities to recycle; and

WHEREAS, Today, more than 11.6 million residents, at least 94% of the State's population, have access to recycling; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, this Commonwealth recycled over 5.85 million tons of resources; and

WHEREAS, The materials Pennsylvanians recycle save more than 150 trillion British thermal units of energy and cut more than 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the air annually; and

WHEREAS, By converting waste into valuable products, recycling creates jobs, contributes feedstock to manufacturing and adds significant value to the entire United States economy; and

WHEREAS, Our waste reduction and recycling activities can also make a difference in problems such as hazardous waste, endangered species, acid rain and the municipal waste crisis;and

WHEREAS, While Pennsylvania has done an outstanding job creating and implementing effective recycling programs to date, the Commonwealth continues to seek improvements in its recycling law; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives celebrate 25 years of successful recycling in this Commonwealth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the people of Pennsylvania to continue to excel in their recycling efforts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Department of Environmental Protection to review its recycling programs and report any recommendations for improvements to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee within one year of the passage of this resolution.

9/9/2013