2022 -- S 2582 | |
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LC004810 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022 | |
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N | |
RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY | |
CORPORATION CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF PLASTICS RECYCLING | |
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Introduced By: Senators Miller, Coyne, Kallman, Euer, and Cano | |
Date Introduced: March 10, 2022 | |
Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture | |
1 | WHEREAS, Rhode Island is blessed with the beautiful Narragansett Bay, hundreds of |
2 | miles of scenic coastline, dozens of islands, and hundreds of bodies of water including rivers, |
3 | ponds, and lakes; and |
4 | WHEREAS, These treasured Rhode Island resources are facing a continuous and |
5 | growing threat from plastic pollution; and |
6 | WHEREAS, Plastic pollution is dangerous to the health of our oceans and ocean species, |
7 | contributes to climate change, and is a major component of unsightly litter both on our lands and |
8 | in our waters; and |
9 | WHEREAS, Plastics that enter the marine environment break down through wave action |
10 | and sunlight into smaller pieces called microplastics, which can be ingested by marine life, |
11 | putting Rhode Island's fishing industries and aquatic ecosystems at risks; now, therefore be it |
12 | RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby respectfully requests |
13 | the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) to conduct a comprehensive study to |
14 | support expansion of markets for recycled materials; and if a market for recycled single stream |
15 | does not exist, to support implementation of a bottle redemption program comparable to a |
16 | program currently operating in the region. This study shall include: |
17 | 1. A summary of Rhode Island’s current requirements for plastics recycling; |
18 | 2. Estimates of the proportionate volume of plastics recycled versus plastics disposed of |
19 | in landfills in Rhode Island; |
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1 | 3. Available information on the fate of plastics collected for recycling in Rhode Island; |
2 | 4. An analysis of plastics generation by type and current method of disposal; |
3 | 5. Information regarding recycling markets including in-state recycling, and national and |
4 | international markets; |
5 | 6. A review of current initiatives in neighboring states to reduce plastics pollution and |
6 | additional financial and market tools that may be employed; |
7 | 7. An analysis of the ways and means to enhance the development and expansion of |
8 | markets for post-consumer recycled plastic, including state and local purchasing and procurement |
9 | practices; |
10 | 8. A study of the costs and practicality of new recycled content technologies, including |
11 | successful approaches to recycled plastic materials development employed by other states; |
12 | 9. An analysis of the trends in new plastics being developed, opportunities for reduction |
13 | and recycling, and market development; |
14 | 10. Recommendations for market-based recycling opportunities for plastics; |
15 | 11. Recommendations for incentives for expanded in-state end uses for plastics; and |
16 | 12. A plan to implement a bottle redemption program in Rhode Island within two years; |
17 | and be it further |
18 | RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests the RIRRC to report its findings and |
19 | recommendations to the Senate on or before January 10, 2023; and be it further |
20 | RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
21 | transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Executive Director of the Rhode Island |
22 | Resource Recovery Corporation. |
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LC004810 | |
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