[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            REINTRODUCTION OF THE RECYCLING INCENTIVES ACTS

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                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 1995
  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, 6 years ago, along with the late Senator 
John Heinz and former Senator Tim Wirth, I introduced a new concept in 
environmental protection. The idea was simple--use market forces to 
achieve environmental protection.
  My ideas for tire recycling, newspaper recycling, oil recycling and 
lead acid battery recycling were well received. The bills attracted 
hundreds of cosponsors. But, unfortunately, no action has been taken on 
any recycling issues during the past three Congresses.
  Today, I am reintroducing each of these four bills with an impressive 
group of colleagues. Now is the time for Congress to get serious about 
addressing the country's solid waste problems. Now is the time to begin 
putting creative solutions to work.
  The common approach of these bills represents a radical departure 
from the traditional approach to environmental policy--that of 
``command and control.'' We can no longer afford to commit scarce 
dollars to environmental programs that either do not work or work only 
at enormous cost to all of society. The concept of using market forces 
to achieve environmental goals is gaining influence all over the world. 
The era of using proactive strategies to develop markets for recycled 
products has arrived. And the United States needs to get with the 
program.
  Mr. Speaker, our constituents are demanding that we produce results. 
Join me in demonstrating that those of us committed to sound 
environmental protection at the least cost to society have produced 
legislation of which we can be proud.
  I invite my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to cosponsor the 
Tire Recycling Incentives Act, the Newsprint Recycling Incentives Act, 
the Lead Battery Recycling Incentives Act, and the Used Oil Recycling 
Incentives Act. Let's do something together that is both economically 
and environmentally responsible.


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