On Wednesday, The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) submitted testimony to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on the occasion of their hearing, “Responding to the challenges facing recycling in the United States.” GPI President Scott DeFife addressed the need for greater investment in domestic recycling infrastructure and the state of glass recycling in the United States in a testimony submitted to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) today. GPI’s testimony addresses the ongoing and significant challenges present in the current U.S. recycling collection system.
GPI also expressed support for Senate and House recycling legislation: S. 2941, the Recycling Enhancements to Collection and Yield through Consumer Learning and Education Act of 2020 (RECYCLE) Act (House companion H.R. 5906), and House bill H.R. 5115, the Realizing the Economic Opportunities and Values of Expanding Recycling (RECOVER) Act.
“As the Committee on Environment and Public Works considers the state of recycling, opportunities and challenges, we are working to clear up a great deal of misinformation regarding glass recycling,” said GPI President Scott DeFife. “Glass is one of the original, recyclable packaging materials and has unmatched benefits for the environment and the economy. GPI supports efforts for investments in the recycling industry so that communities have adequate collection and recovery infrastructure to properly recycle glass. Glass containers are made and recycled domestically, and on average, consist of approximately one-third recycled content. Glass recycling is critical to advancing sustainable packaging and has many environmental benefits. Communities are faced with difficult budget choices, and may need to consider alternative recycling programs that will increase quality of recycled materials if their local material recovery facilities cannot produce quality recyclable material. Both the RECYCLE and RECOVER Acts come at a critical time as recycling markets and their supply chains face historic economic pressures to improve the quality of recyclable materials, increase manufacturing efficiencies and reduce landfill disposal. We encourage all Committee members to consider co-sponsorship and support of both bills.”