Charleston Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Tom Carper, and John Boozman are celebrating the Senate's passage of bipartisan legislation aimed at improving the nation's recycling and composting systems.

The legislation includes the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2023 and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, both introduced by Capito, Carper, and Boozman. These bills focus on increasing access to recycling services, improving data collection on recycling systems, and exploring opportunities for a national composting strategy.

Ranking Member Capito highlighted the importance of these bills by stating, “By passing these bills, the Senate took a positive step forward in making it easier for more people to recycle, especially in rural states like West Virginia, which is good for the environment and our economy.”

Chairman Carper emphasized the need for action, saying, “Most Americans want to do their part to reduce waste and harmful pollution. Yet, roughly two-thirds of recyclable materials still aren’t being recycled, resulting in more and more waste polluting our land, air, and oceans.”

Senator Boozman commended the legislation for promoting sustainable practices and enhancing the nation's recycling and composting infrastructure, urging the House of Representatives to follow suit.

The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act aims to improve recycling accessibility in underserved communities through a pilot program that awards grants for infrastructure development. The Recycling and Composting Accountability Act focuses on enhancing data collection on recycling and composting rates nationwide.

These bipartisan efforts are seen as crucial steps towards better environmental stewardship and economic growth. The full text of both bills and additional information can be found on the Senate website.