NWRA Announces Support for RECYCLE Act

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) announced its strong support for Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Debbie Stabenow’s (D-MI) Recycling Enhancements to Collection and Yield through Consumer Learning and Education (RECYCLE) Act of 2019.

The legislation, which was introduced in the Senate on November 21, aims to increase both the quality and quantity of recycled materials. The bill would establish a consumer recycling education and outreach grant program within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to clean up America’s recycling stream.

“NWRA welcomes this bipartisan legislation as our industry works to address the challenges it faces from the loss of China as a market for recyclable commodities,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith in a statement. “We are pleased that the RECYCLE Act recognizes the important roles that nonproft organizations as well as public-private partnerships can play in increasing collection rates and decreasing contamination in residential recycling programs.”

Providing funding for education and outreach to inform consumers and households about what is accepted in their residential recycling programs is an important step in increasing both the quantity and quality of recycled material. NWRA said it looks forward to working with Senators Portman and Stabenow to encourage passage of this bill and on their future efforts to incentivize upgrades to America’s recycling infrastructure.