Urges DEP and EDA to establish plastics recycling marketplace.
Impact
The resolution aims to improve the current low recycling rates in New Jersey, which hover between six to nine percent and may reach up to 13 percent according to some estimates. Mismanagement of plastic waste poses threats not only to the local environment through pollution but also potentially impacts public health as microplastics can enter the food chain. By calling for the creation of a dedicated marketplace for recycling, ACR114 seeks to divert single-use plastics from landfills and prevent them from polluting waterways and ecosystems.
Summary
ACR114 is a Concurrent Resolution introduced in the New Jersey Legislature that urges the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish a plastics recycling marketplace. The resolution highlights the pressing issue of single-use plastics, which are prevalent in various consumer products including bags, bottles, and utensils. The resolution points out the massive amounts of plastic waste generated each year, noting that Americans alone dispose of more than 100 billion plastic bags and 25 billion styrofoam cups annually, most of which do not get recycled.
Conclusion
Ultimately, ACR114 represents a legislative push towards a more sustainable future by addressing the environmental hazards posed by single-use plastics. The collaboration between the DEP and EDA is crucial for the success of this initiative, and ACR114 lays the groundwork for a comprehensive state-wide approach to recycling that could serve as a model for other states facing similar challenges.
Contention
As ACR114 calls for state funds to be utilized effectively for researching and developing a plastics recycling marketplace, it may face scrutiny regarding the allocation of state resources. Additionally, the initiative may encounter challenges from industries reliant on single-use plastics or from stakeholders questioning the effectiveness and efficiency of proposed recycling technologies. Proponents of ACR114 argue that addressing the plastic waste crisis requires immediate and decisive action, while opponents might raise concerns over the logistical and financial implications of establishing such a marketplace.
Senate Resolution Respectfully Requesting The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation And The Rhode Island Department Of Environmental Management To Conduct A Comprehensive Study Of Plastics Recycling (requests The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation And The Rhode Island Department Of Environmental Management To Conduct A Comprehensive Study Of Plastics Recycling)
Directs DEP to take certain actions concerning identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water, and requires DEP and BPU to study and promote use of microplastics removal technologies.
Directs DEP to take certain actions concerning identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water, and requires DEP and BPU to study and promote use of microplastics removal technologies.
Directs DEP to take certain actions concerning identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water, and requires DEP and BPU to study and promote use of microplastics removal technologies.