HR0912 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0912 LRB096 18567 GRL 33949 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Recycling reduces the need for landfilling and incineration and prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials; and

WHEREAS, Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, and 4,1000 kilowatt-hours of electricity; and

WHEREAS, An aluminum can takes over 100 years to decompose, but a recycled can may be reused in 60 days; and

WHEREAS, A group of middle school students in Addison formed the Recycle Because You Care Team to research various approaches to encouraging their community to recycle; the experiment proved that recycling rates increased in households that were educated about recycling techniques; during the experiment, the number of recyclers increased by 86% in neighborhoods where the homeowners were informed about how to recycle and were given recycling bins; and

WHEREAS, Following the approval of a State grant, an Addison waste hauler provided more than 7,000 new recycling bins to their community; as a result, the recycling volume increased by 85 tons; and

WHEREAS, The impact of educational tools in Addison proves that recycling rates in the State can be increased by better informing citizens of recycling programs and possibilities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is created the Recycling Issues Task Force, to consist of the following: (1) a member appointed by each caucus leader in the Illinois General Assembly; (2) a member appointed by the Governor; (3) a representative from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; (4) a representative from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; (5) a representative from the waste industry; and (6) a representative from the environmental community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall:

(1) study existing State recycling programs; and

(2) explore possible incentives for encouraging recycling throughout the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall choose its chair and other officers and meet at the call of the chair; the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative support for the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall report its findings to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before September 1, 2011.