HR0090 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0090 LRB097 09340 GRL 49475 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 and businesses of recycling programs and possibilities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall develop a Workplace Recycling Toolkit containing downloadable information and resources for implementing or expanding business or institutional recycling programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Workplace Recycling Toolkit shall include information to show companies and institutions how to:

(1) identify available recycling and waste reduction options;

(2) identify and overcome barriers to implementing recycling programs and implementing suggested solutions;

(3) differentiate geographic circumstances that may affect the ability to collect or market recyclable materials;

(4) identify additional available education and program resources; and

(5) implement a comprehensive and effective waste reduction and recycling program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That, once completed, there shall be a promotional campaign to make the public aware of the Toolkit and the useful information it contains; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall complete this task on or before March 1, 2012.