HARRISBURG—The
Pennsylvania House of Representatives took the first steps to
permanently fund recycling programs in the Commonwealth today by
passing House Bill 1902, the Recycling Fund Reauthorization Act. The
bill – sponsored by Representative Carol Rubley (Chester County) –
indefinitely extends the $2 per ton fee on landfill trash disposal that
helps fund more than 900 curbside recycling programs across the state.
The Recycling Fund Reauthorization passed by an overwhelming
bi-partisan majority of 191-9. The bill now must pass the state Senate.
Environmental and municipal organizations are concerned that if HB1902
is not signed into law soon, recycling programs across the state may
have to stop curbside pick ups in the near future.
“Recycling
is the cornerstone of our waste reduction efforts in Pennsylvania” said
Stephen Rogness, legislative associate for PennEnvironment, a statewide
environmental advocacy group. “These programs offer huge benefits for
our environment and our economy, and they deserve this dedicated,
permanent funding. PennEnvironment applauds Rep. Rubley for her
leadership on this important environmental issue.” It is estimated that
recycling diverts over 4.5 million tons of trash and other waste
annually away from Pennsylvania’s landfills and incinerators and into
recyclable materials.
Since
1988, recycling programs throughout the Commonwealth have been
supported in part by the $2 per ton fee on trash disposal at landfills.
The money from this fee goes into a statewide Recycling Fund and is
then given to Pennsylvania cities and towns to be spent on the
facilities, trucks, staff and citizen outreach programs necessary to
ensure sustainable and vibrant recycling programs throughout the state.
House Bill 1902 would make the $2 per ton fee permanent, helping to
ensure that the Recycling Fund will support these programs indefinitely.
Thanks
to this critical funding, Pennsylvania now boasts more than 900
curbside recycling programs and thousands of drop-off sites statewide.
Environmental groups point out that recycling not only reduces waste,
it reduces air and water pollution while providing jobs and fueling
Pennsylvania’s economy with raw materials for production.
The
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection reports that
recycling programs directly employ over 10,000 people in the state. All
told, it is estimated that recycling and recycling-related businesses
comprise an $18 billion industry and contribute over $300 million in
annual tax revenues in Pennsylvania.
Today’s
vote in the house was a much-needed first step to guarantee that money
for the Recycling Fund is made permanent. However, HB1902 must still
pass the state Senate and be signed into law in the near future or
recycling programs could be in jeopardy. While the Recycling Fund
expires in 2009, local officials, environmental groups and legislators
who support HB1902 point out the fact that recycling contracts are
often negotiated between township, counties and recycling firms on a
three-year basis. If the Recycling Fund is not reauthorized this year,
it will make it difficult for counties and municipalities to negotiate,
in turn forcing local recycling programs to come to a potential
standstill.
“Today
the house voiced its overwhelming support for this critical funding”
said Rogness. “Now it’s up to the Senate and Governor Rendell to secure
the future of recycling in Pennsylvania by getting this bill over the
finish line.”
