Public Law 102–269

Joint Resolution

To designate April 15, 1992 as “National Recycling Day”.

Whereas the United States generates over 180 million tons of municipal solid waste each year—almost double the amount produced in 1965, and amounting to about 4 pounds per person per day—and the amount is expected to increase to 216 million tons of garbage annually by the year 2000;

Whereas the continued generation of enormous volumes of solid waste each year presents unacceptable threats to human health and the environment;

Whereas the Environmental Protection Agency expects that 27 States will run out of landfill capacity for municipal solid waste within 5 years and that a large percentage of currently operating landfills will close by the year 2000 either because they are filled or because their design and operation do not meet Federal or State standards for protection of human health and the environment, requiring that waste now disposed of in these facilities will have to be disposed through other means;

Whereas a significant amount of waste can be diverted from disposal by the utilization of source separation, mechanical separation and community-based recycling programs;

Whereas recycling can save energy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, has substantial materials conservation benefits and can prevent the pollution created from extracting resources from their natural environment;

Whereas the revenues recovered by recycling programs offset the costs of solid waste management and some communities have established recycling programs which provide significant economic benefits to members of the community;

Whereas the current level of municipal solid waste recycling in the United States is low, although some communities have set a much higher rate;

Whereas to reach a goal of increased recycling, more materials need to be separated, collected, processed, marketed and manufactured into new products;

Whereas a well-developed system exists for recycling scrap metals, aluminum cans, glass and metal containers, paper and paperboard, and is reducing the quantity of waste entering landfills or incinerators and saving manufacturers energy costs;

Whereas recycling of plastics is in the early stages of development and considerable market potential exists to increase the recycling;

Whereas yard and food waste is an important part of municipal solid waste and a large potential exists for mulching and composting the waste which would save both landfill space and nourish soil, but only small amounts of this material is currently being recycled;

Whereas Federal, State and local governments should enact legislative measures that will increase the amount of solid waste that is recycled;

Whereas Federal, State and local governments should encourage the development of markets for recyclable goods;

Whereas Federal, State and local governments should promote the design of products that can be recycled safely and efficiently;

Whereas the success of recycling programs depends on the ability of informed consumers and businesses to make decisions regarding recycling and recycled products and to participate in recycling programs; and

Whereas the people of the United States should be encouraged to participate in educational, organizational and legislative endeavors that promote waste separation methods, community-based recycling programs and expanded utilization of recovered materials: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Approved April 15, 1992.