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PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor
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J.R. 4
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Joint Resolution No. 4
(Senate Joint Resolution No. 6)
A Senate Joint Resolution concerning
Environment - Solid Waste Management - Voluntary Statewide Diversion
Goal
FOR the purpose of resolving that a certain voluntary statewide diversion goal by a
certain date through cooperation by certain parties be established; resolving
that a certain formula to calculate each county's diversion rate be established;
resolving that the Maryland Department of the Environment determine the
source reduction credit; resolving that a certain mandatory county recycling rate
be maintained; resolving that counties be provided with certain incentives to
recycle; resolving that counties report certain information to the Department;
and generally relating to the diversion of solid waste in the State.
WHEREAS, Ten years after the Maryland Recycling Act of 1988 was enacted,
Maryland's statewide recycling rate increased to 33% in 1998; and
WHEREAS, All Maryland counties have met or exceeded the 15% or 20%
recycling rates, depending on the county population, required by the Maryland
Recycling Act; and
WHEREAS, Millions of tons of solid waste continue to enter Maryland landfills
each year, and Maryland cannot rely indefinitely on waste exports to other states to
conserve Maryland's landfill space; and
WHEREAS, Recycling offers a better alternative in terms of extending landfill
life, conserving natural resources, saving energy, reducing pollution, and creating jobs
and economic development opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Source reduction, the practice of preventing waste in the first place,
and reusing materials rather than recycling or disposing of the material, is the most
cost-effective and environmentally sound option available; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly of Maryland affirms the Maryland Recycling
Advisory Group and the Governor's Solid Waste Management Task Force
recommendations that Maryland establish a voluntary statewide diversion goal of
40% by the year 2005; and
WHEREAS, The Waste Information and Assessment Act requires reporting on
the recycling of all solid waste; and
WHEREAS, Over 1 million tons of material not counted in the 20% and 15%
recycling goals were reported by some counties as recycled in 1998; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly of Maryland recognizes the need to provide
leadership and inspiration so that Maryland citizens realize the many economic and
environmental benefits that further progress in recycling and source reduction will
bring; now, therefore, be it
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- 3559 -
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