HD7 - Annual Report of the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council


Executive Summary:
House Joint Resolution No. 67 (appendix 4) requests certain specific tasks be completed. These tasks have been undertaken by the Council with the following results:

1. Develop and adopt a mission statement to provide specific guidance. to the Council over time:

In accordance with § 145.47 of The Code of Virginia, the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council shall develop and monitor a plan that will strengthen Virginia's recycling infrastructure and markets. The plan shall set forth strategies primarily designed to improve the supply, quantity, and quality of recyclables. The plan shall also provide strategies for increasing the demand for recycled products and expanding the capacity of collectors, processors and manufacturers to handle and use specified recyclable materials. The Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council shall make recommendations through written reports and legislative initiatives that will:

1. Promote and coordinate state agencies' and authorities efforts to enhance markets for recycled and recovered materials;

2. Promote the purchase of products made from recycled or recovered materials;

3. Identify and evaluate financial and other incentives which may attract new businesses that can use recycled or recovered materials generated in Virginia;

4. Identify barriers to the development of markets for recycled materials including existing state policies, regulations, and procedures, and recommend alternatives to overcome such obstacles;

5. Develop recommendations for the establishment of a regional or interstate marketing system for recycled materials;

6. Encourage the use of uniform recycling definitions and standards throughout the state;

7. Promote and encourage public/private market development initiatives;

8. Report annually its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.

2. Appoint a liaison person to coordinate the work of the council and the EPA-funded recycling and economic development study being conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance:

Mr. Richard Lerner was appointed and will be the ongoing liaison. See appendix 5 and appendix 6.

3. Review the current statutory recycling goals for the purpose of determining whether such percentage goals should be increased or modified to reflect the difficulties of collecting and marketing recyclables being experienced by the rural areas of the Commonwealth. Consideration should also be given to whether an emphasis should be placed on source reduction and reuse efforts rather than recycling goals:

This task is currently being completed by a subcommittee appointed by the Council. Appendix 7 is a report on current recycling in the Commonwealth as submitted to the Council by the DEQ. While the subcommittee has not yet reached a conclusion, they have recognized that some localities would reduce or eliminate their recycling programs in the absence of legislative requirements, while others would continue their programs at least at the current level. It is felt that the smaller and rural communities would be the most likely to limit their recycling efforts. (Appendix 8) Based on current research, public discussions, and input from various Recycling organizations, if the current mandates are allowed to expire, the long-term viability of recycling in the Commonwealth may be damaged. Without reporting requirements, the importance of the 25% recycling goal is reduced, thereby harming the program. The Commonwealth has been in the forefront of recycling and with the possibility of Federal Regulation, this continued leadership by the Commonwealth would be eliminated. The Council recommends that current regulations be amended to extend the 25% goal and the reporting requirements to 1997. Furthermore, this Council will be prepared to make a recommendation prior to the extension expiration. (Appendix 20)

4. Review the model legislation endorsed by the RENEWS Subcommittee of the Southern Legislative Conference:

The Council has determined that the Commonwealth has variations of all six model legislations (Appendix 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13). We do not recommend any further action be taken at this time.

5. Conduct a thorough examination of the recycling enterprise zone concept, and if found to be effective, recommend appropriate legislation:

Completed. While the Council does not see this concept as a complete inducement in and of itself to gain additional recycling businesses, it is considered another implement to encourage the development of end users in the recycling chain within the Commonwealth. We hereby recommend enactment of the legislation as shown in appendix 14.