HD25 - The Commonwealth of Virginia Recycled Newsprint Advisory Task Force

  • Published: 1991
  • Author: Department of Waste Management
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 150 (Regular Session, 1990)

Executive Summary:
In 1990, responding to the mounting difficulties being encountered in the markets for old newspapers collected for recycling in the Commonwealth, the Virginia General Assembly adopted House Joint Resolution Number 150. HJR 150 directed the Department of Waste Management to study the means of increasing the production and use of recycled newsprint. The Resolution requested the Department to convene an advisory task force, comprised of representatives of newspapers published in Virginia, the recycled newsprint industry, and other interested parties, to assist in the research effort. Lastly, HJR 150 required the Department to submit its findings to the Governor and the 1991 Session of the General Assembly. A copy of HJR 150 is included in APPENDIX B.

The Task Force was asked to evaluate and make recommendations about the following subject areas:

• The availability of recycled newsprint to the newspaper industry in the Commonwealth;

• The establishment of guidelines for the use of recycled newsprint that are consistent with projected availability;

• The development of alternative actions by the Commonwealth, including tax incentives and expedited regulatory approval, to increase the availability of recycled newsprint.

The Task Force members agreed that a voluntary commitment to increase the purchase and use of recycled newsprint by the Virginia newspaper industry would be the most effective means to involve the industry in the development of a comprehensive solution to the old newspaper market dilemma. Accordingly, the majority of newspaper publishers in Virginia have committed to a series of voluntary guidelines for the use of newsprint containing recycled fiber. The guidelines were developed by the Virginia Press Association membership and are listed in a resolution unanimously adopted by the Association's Board of Directors on November 3, 1990. The voluntary guidelines state that the percentage of recycled newsprint versus total consumption used by Virginia publishers be 15 percent in 1992, 20 percent in 1993, 25 percent in 1994, and 30 percent by 1995. APPENDIX D contains a copy of the Virginia Press Association's resolution.

The Task Force also evaluated other uses for old newspapers including: animal bedding, mulches and compost, and building insulation. The Task Force concluded that expanding these uses would have the most immediate and measurable impact in reducing the amount of old newspapers in Virginia's solid waste stream.

From the research and analysis conducted by the Department of Waste Management, the Virginia Press Association and the Virginia Recycled Newsprint Advisory Task Force, the following conclusions and recommendations have been developed:

• The Commonwealth should support and promote the voluntary commitment of the newspaper industry to increase its use of recycled newsprint. The following initiatives are suggested:

- The Virginia Waste Management Board should be encouraged to formally recognize the industry for its willingness to assist in resolving the problems currently being encountered in the markets for old newspaper.

- The Virginia Waste Management Board should request the newspapers in the state, through the Virginia Press Association, to conduct an internal survey and submit the survey findings in an annual report to the Board. The survey and report shall provide documentation of the industry's progress in achieving its voluntary guidelines for increasing the amount of recycled newsprint used in Virginia.

- The Departments of Waste Management and Economic Development should encourage other private sector clients to follow the example of Virginia's newspaper publishers.

- State and local government agencies should establish and implement procurement preferences for products that contain recycled newspaper fibers.

- The Department of Economic Development should be encouraged to develop an assistance program for attracting industries to Virginia that utilize old newspapers in their manufacturing process.

• The Virginia Recycled Newsprint Advisory Task Force should be encouraged to continue meeting to develop strategies for increasing old newspaper recycling/utilization in the future. Particular emphasis should be placed on the recycling market proposal developed by the Center for Innovative Technology, as it pertains to the researching of new uses for old newspapers and the review of the regulatory approval process.

• Existing markets should be expanded and new uses and markets for old newspapers developed. The Departments of Waste Management and Economic Development should provide oversight in these market initiatives.

A detailed explanation of each these recommendations appears in Part III of this report.