The U.S. Senate passed a resolution supporting the improvement of recycling in the nation.

Introduced by the co-chairs of the Senate Recycling Caucus, Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), the resolution expresses support for improvement in the collection, processing and use of recyclable materials throughout the United States.

"Increasing the amount we recycle is a simple, yet effective way to help our economy and our environment by better managing our limited resources," Carper said. "Since the first Earth Day in 1970, our country has greatly improved our recycling habits. … Yet in the past decade, our country's improvement in our recycling behavior has slowed. …  I know that our nation can continue to do better when it comes to recycling.”

The resolution reinforces the importance of recycling to the U.S. economy and its environmental benefits, Carper said in a news release. It received unanimous Senate approval.

The resolution was endorsed by numerous organizations, including the National Solid Wastes Management Association, the Solid Waste Association of North America, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the National Recycling Coalition, Keep America Beautiful, the Paper Recycling Coalition, the Steel Recycling Institute, The Aluminum Association, the American Forest & Paper Association, the Recycling Organizations of North America and the Container Recycling Institute.