SWANA Supports Rise Legislation But Urges Larger Effort

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has written a letter to Senator James Jeffords (I-VT) supporting his recent introduction of the Recycling Investment Saves Energy (RISE) Act, but urged that the bill be revised to incorporate financial incentives applicable to local governments and to expand the coverage to include composting equipment.

"The ability to finance recycling programs plays an integral role in meeting waste reduction and recovery goals," writes SWANA Executive Director and CEO, John H. Skinner, Ph.D., continuing "We believe financial incentives should be extended to all members of the recycling community and incentives created for the recycling of a range of materials that would otherwise be sent for disposal."

While SWANA commended the senator for his leadership in introducing the act, SWANA is "concerned that the tax credit and accelerated depreciation provisions included in this year's RISE bill would not provide any financial incentive to recycling programs operated by municipalities and other governmental organizations that do not pay Federal income tax." With that in mind, SWANA has encouraged the senator to continue looking at ways in which financial incentives can be made available to all recyclers, both private and public sector. One way for governmental entities to benefit from such incentives, suggested by SWANA, would be for the supplier of the equipment to receive the tax credit or accelerated depreciation; then, purchasers of the equipment, whether public or private sector, could benefit from lower equipment prices.

Additionally, SWANA is urging that equipment for the composting of organic solid waste be eligible for the tax credit and accelerated depreciation. "In order to really increase recycling, equipment for composting operations should be included in the RISE bill," writes Skinner. Compostable materials make up nearly a third of the waste stream; however, the recycling rate for these materials, which is under 10 percent, is strikingly low as compared to the recycling rate for other materials that would be eligible for financial incentives under RISE.

SWANA is committed to working with congress in support of legislation that would promote recycling as a successful strategy for reducing the amount of materials diverted into the waste stream.

About SWANA:

For over 40 years, SWANA, The Solid Waste Association of North America, has been the leading professional association in the solid waste management field. SWANA's mission is "to advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound management of municipal solid waste." SWANA serves over 7,500 members and thousands more industry professionals with technical conferences, certifications, publications and a large offering of technical training courses.