WHEREAS, in 1975, State legislation created the Delaware Solid Waste Authority to manage all municipal, commercial and industrial solid waste disposal; and

WHEREAS, by 1978 the Authority adopted a comprehensive Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan that identified major facilities, including resource recovery projects; and

WHEREAS, an outcome of that Plan was Delaware’s first reclamation facility which operated from approximately 1984 – 1993; and

WHEREAS, in September 2000, Executive Order Number #82 was adopted under Governor Thomas Carper which set a 30% diversion rate for recyclables from Delaware’s residential solid waste stream; and

WHEREAS, the Executive Order #82, established the Recycling Public Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order #82 directed DNREC, the Division of Air and Waste Management, in concert with the DSWA and the Recycling Public Advisory Council to monitor and measure the state’s recycling initiatives, implement a grant program, design and implement a public education effort and direct the implementation of a public school recycling initiative; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order #90, approved by Governor Ruth Ann Minner in September 2006 rescinded Executive Order #82 and enhanced the criteria for recycling in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order #90 increased the diversion rate for recyclables to fifty-one percent; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order #90 re-established the Recycling Public Advisory Council, to advise the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Solid Waste Authority on all aspects of Recycling, including grant criteria, development of a measuring methodology, providing advice and recommendations regarding outreach and education; and

WHEREAS, during the 143^rd General Assembly SB 225 with SA1 and SA 2, which established a framework for a statewide residential curbside recycling system, established a recycling fund, banned organic waste from Delaware landfills, provided for the development of yard waste management facilities, set recycling goals for residential and commercial and re-established the Recycling Public Recycling Advisory Council was not voted into law; and

WHEREAS, during the 144^th General Assembly HS 1 for HB 146 which mandated a statewide recycling program and fund to help pay for various aspects of the recycling system, provided for the development of yard waste management and set goals for both residential and commercial properties was defeated in the House; and

WHEREAS, during the 144^th General Assembly, HB 159 w/HA 1, HA 3 and HA 5 which would have established public and private programs to increase the level of voluntary recycling and beneficial use of solid waste materials, through and established framework, recycling fund, yard waste management and recycling goals was defeated in the Senate.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 144^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware that a Recycling Task Force is hereby created to comprehensively identify best management practices for a comprehensive and viable statewide recycling program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall report to the House of Representatives by October 1, 2008 or earlier, if appropriate, on but not limited to the following subjects:

(1) The framework for a viable statewide recycling program both residential and commercial;

(2) The monetary benefits of recycling;

(3) The benefits of a grant program;

(4) The benefits of mandatory or voluntary recycling;

(5) Appropriate measurement of diversion rate;

(6) Educational aspect of recycling; and

(7) Yard waste management.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force will be chaired by Representative Nick T. Manolakos or his designee, and the Task Force shall have the following members:

(1) One representative from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control;

(2) One representative from the Delaware Solid Waste Authority;

(3) One representative from the Recycling Public Advisory Council;

(4) The Chair of the House Natural Resource and Environmental Control Committee and his appointee;

(5) The Chair of the Senate Natural Resource and Environmental Control Committees and his appointee;

(6) One representative from the Trash Hauler’s Association;

(7) Two community members to be appointed by the Task Force Chairperson.

SPONSOR:	Rep. Manolakos;
	Reps. Booth, Hudson, Maier, Stone, Gilligan, Keeley