The Recycling Partnership’s Elizabeth Biser Provided Statement to Senate EPW Committee Hearing “Responding to the Challenges Facing Recycling in the United States”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 17, 2020 – Today, The Recycling Partnership (The Partnership), submitted a statement for the record to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing “Responding to the Challenges Facing Recycling in the United States.” The Partnership’s statement addressed the economic value of recycling, described the current recycling challenges facing communities, and recommended actions that Congress can take to help improve the nation’s recycling system.
The Recycling Partnership is a national nonprofit that works with companies, communities, and policymakers across the nation to strengthen public recycling programs, improve education, and increase public action events.
The Statement, submitted by The Partnership’s Vice President for Policy & Public Affairs Elizabeth Biser, applauded “the Committee for holding a hearing that focuses on the important issues relating to recycling in the United States.”
Biser highlighted a recent Partnership survey done in collaboration with SWNS that found 85% of Americans strongly believe in recycling. “Unfortunately, communities are struggling to provide this public service, while facing higher costs driven by difficult markets and an inadequate domestic recycling system,” the statement reads.
The Partnership encouraged Congress to support initiatives to help communities provide more efficient and effective recycling programs, including data collection, educational programs for communities, and needed innovation and upgrades to collection, sorting and processing capabilities. “There is not enough data on how many recycling programs currently operate in the United States, much less the amount of recyclable material that is collected and processed from residential homes.” The Recycling Partnership urged Congress to appropriate $5 million to the EPA to conduct a comprehensive data collection effort, dubbed the “2020 Recycling Census.”
“We are pleased that the Committee recognizes both the challenges and potential opportunities that exist today with recycling in the United States,” said Biser. “We are hopeful that together, we can develop long term solutions that supports 757,000 American jobs each year, empower sustainable action, and unlock new opportunities in our communities.”
The hearing, titled, “Responding to the Challenges Facing Recycling in the United States,” will take place in the Dirksen Senate Office Building at 10 AM. The hearing will be webcast here.