Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have introduced another bill that creates a federal recycling grants program.
The “Recycling Enhancements to Collection and Yield through Consumer Learning and Education” (RECYCLE) Act of 2019 would authorize spending up to $15 million per year over five years for recycling education and outreach grants.
Introduced on Nov. 21, the bill, S.2941, also directs the U.S. EPA to develop a model recycling toolkit for states, local governments and others. Additionally, it requires EPA to more frequently review and revise, if appropriate, its guidelines helping other agencies buy recycled-content products.
It’s the second federal recycling grants bill to be introduced in the last week. On Nov. 15, America Recycles Day, the “Realizing the Economic Opportunities and Values of Expanding Recycling” (RECOVER) Act was introduced. It provides up to $500 million in matching grants to state and local governments to fund recycling infrastructure, programs and education.
The RECYCLE Act was introduced by Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine; Ron Wyden, D-Ore.; and Todd Young, R-Ind., are original co-sponsors.
The bill has a long list of industry supporters, according to a press release from Portman’s office.
They are the following groups and companies: Advanced Drainage Systems, American Beverage Association, American Chemistry Council, American Forest & Paper Association, Association of Plastic Recyclers, Can Manufacturers Institute, Construction and Demolition Recycling Association, Evangelical Environmental Network, Glass Packaging Institute, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, KW Plastics, National Association of Manufacturers, National Waste & Recycling Association, National Wildlife Federation Natural Resources Defense Council, Owens-Illinois, Paper Recycling Coalition, Plastics Industry Association, Procter & Gamble, The Recycling Partnership, Reserve Management Group, Resinate Materials Group, Sierra Club, Solid Waste Association of North America and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
