SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 49

(By Senators Maynard, Baldwin, Lindsay, Unger, and Jeffries)

[Introduced March 22, 2021]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the development and expansion of municipal recycling programs, including review of the current status of programs within West Virginia, an examination of best practices from surrounding states, and waste stream economics for municipalities and local communities.

Whereas, Waste recycling programs provide substantial benefits for local communities and for our nation as a whole, including reduction of the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, support for American manufacturing and conservation of valuable resources, increased economic security by tapping domestic sources of materials, prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials, increased energy savings, creation of jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States, and conservation of precious natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals; and

Whereas, There is a great disparity across this state in the availability of local recycling programs for household and small business wastes and the types of wastes that these programs can process; and

Whereas, Many local recycling programs have been forced to close or reduce services because of the costs of sorting materials and a depressed market for recyclable wastes; and

Whereas, Public participation in local recycling programs can help reduce costs and foster the benefits of recycling programs; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the development and expansion of municipal recycling programs, including review of the current status of programs within West Virginia, an examination of best practices from surrounding states, and waste stream economics for municipalities and local communities; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2022, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.