PENNSYLVANIA, July 6 - WHEREAS, There is widespread agreement among business owners

in the recycling industry, recycling professionals, municipal

officials and environmental advocates that the recycling

industry now confronts a multitude of issues, including

dwindling markets, material contamination and escalating program

costs; and

WHEREAS, There are reports that recyclable materials are

simply being placed in landfills because markets for collected

materials are lacking; and

WHEREAS, The difficulties facing the recycling industry

nationally are consistent with the difficulties in this

Commonwealth, and this reality does not make sense economically

or environmentally; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Legislative Budget and

Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report

regarding recycling in this Commonwealth and the feasibility of

creating targeted recycling economic development zone programs

in this Commonwealth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the study explore ways of improving the

economic and environmental viability of recycling in this

Commonwealth, including enhancing markets for recycled materials

and developing recycling economic development programs in this

Commonwealth as other states have done; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the study address how other states, such as

California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Michigan,

Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio, have recycling assistance

resources for businesses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the study:

(1) explore best practices in local government

contracting, such as zero waste authorities;

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