NWRA Lauds Senate EPW Committee for Advancing Bipartisan Recycling Legislation

ARLINGTON, VA –  The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) thanks the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee led by Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) for voting April 7 to favorably report out S.3742, Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2022, and S.3743, Recycling and Composting Accountability Act. These bills introduced by Carper, Capito, and Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) on March 3 are focused on improving recycling and composting systems. They now await action by the full Senate.

In her opening statement, Sen. Capito noted, “The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act enjoys broad support across the recycling industry and environmental community, with more than 20 groups writing in support of the bill, including the National Waste and Recycling Association, Waste Management, and the American Beverage Association.”

“NWRA is pleased that the Senate EPW Committee acted so swiftly on these two important pieces of legislation to the waste and recycling industry,” NWRA President & CEO Darrell Smith stated. “These bipartisan bills addressing the issues of improving rural recycling accessibility and data collection for recycling and composting are integral to advancing America’s domestic recycling infrastructure and capabilities at a critical time when supply chain shortages are demonstrating the need for greater self-sufficiency. We call on the full Senate to pass these bills upon their return later this month and send them to the House for consideration.”

NWRA Chairman Ben Harvey testified February 2 before the EPW Committee at its hearing to examine these legislative proposals to improve domestic recycling and composting programs, particularly in rural areas. NWRA has been meeting with and providing assistance to EPW Committee staff as these bills were being drafted and offered its full-throated support for the bills upon their introduction in early March. The association will continue to actively support these pieces of legislation to ensure that they become law.

###

ABOUT NWRA
The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) represents the private sector waste and recycling services industry. Association members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that manage waste, recycling and medical waste, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and a variety of other service providers. For more information about NWRA, please visit www.wasterecycling.org.