Solid Waste Industry Seeks To Expand Senate Bill

Silver Spring, MD — The solid waste industry seeks to expand legislation pending before the U.S. Senate. On July 13th Sen. James Jeffords (I-VT) introduced the Recycling Investment Saves Energy (RISE) Act, S. 3654. This act gives federal tax credits to municipalities for the use and financing of recycling equipment. In a letter to Jeffords, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) expressed concern that RISE would not provide incentive to federal tax-exempt municipalities and suggested adding language to the bill that would provide alternative financial incentives to these government organizations. One suggestion was to give a tax credit to the suppliers of recycling equipment, passing on the savings to the municipalities. The letter also included a suggestion that composting equipment be included in the bill, citing under-recycling of organic materials, which make up thirty percent of the waste stream.

SOURCE: SWANA