SWANA Encouraged by Senate’s Continued Focus on Recycling

SWANA supports goals of today’s EPW hearing

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is encouraged that the U.S. Senate’s Committee of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) held a hearing on February 2 on proposals to improve domestic recycling and composting programs. This marked the first congressional hearing focused on recycling in 2022.

The purpose of the hearing was to review legislative proposals to bolster U.S. recycling and composting programs, and specifically, the Recycling Infrastructure & Accessibility Act and the Recycling & Composting Accountability Act. SWANA supports the overall goals of these bills to expand accessibility to recycling programs through federal funding and generate more robust data on these programs and recycling facilities.

“Although recycling markets strengthened considerably in 2021, municipal recycling programs are at risk as local governments continue to struggle with insufficient infrastructure, public confusion about programs, and labor challenges, among other issues,” stated David Biderman, SWANA Executive Director and CEO. “Congressional action that supports efforts to expand and improve recycling programs and systems in the United States are welcome. SWANA looks forward to working with Senate and House leaders to craft legislation that achieves those objectives.”

SWANA is reviewing the draft bills and will be communicating with EPW in the coming days with input from its members.

SWANA issued a report in November 2021 concerning the rebound in the recycling markets. SWANA is a key supporter of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy and participated in a Senate EPW Roundtable in Fall 2021 concerning recycling.