[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2019

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to draw my colleagues' attention 
to Global Recycling Day on March 18. Global Recycling Day was created 
in 2018 to help recognize, and celebrate, the importance recycling 
plays in preserving our primary resources and securing the future of 
our planet.
  The creation of Global Recycling Day is aimed at the promotion of a 
global and united approach to recycling. The mission of Global 
Recycling Day is to help world leaders understand that recycling is too 
important not to be a global issue, and to ask all citizens of the 
world to think of recyclables in terms of what they are: valuable 
resources, not waste. By combining as many voices and efforts as 
possible on a single day, together we are raising awareness of the 
urgent need to be more reliable recyclers and more conscientious 
consumers.
  There are six major natural resources on the planet, Madam Speaker--
water, air, coal, oil, natural gas and minerals. I think recyclables 
ought to be thought of as the world's Seventh Resource.
  Recycling prevents more CO2 emissions each year than those 
generated by the entire aviation industry, while simultaneously 
reducing the need to extract the Earth's finite virgin natural 
resources. Without recycling, all our used refrigerators, plastic 
bottles, packing boxes, cars, cell phones and paper cups would 
contribute to the growing waste mountains, which are either incinerated 
or sent to landfill--never to be used again.
  In the United States alone, we recycle more than 130 million metric 
tons of scrap materials every year and employ more than 130,000 
American workers. These valuable materials go directly back into the 
manufacturing chain, helping manufacturers be more energy efficient.
  Global Recycling Day 2019 will work to get more young people engaged 
with the power of the Seventh Resource through a variety of key 
partnerships. The initiative will also work with businesses and 
entrepreneurs globally to share their innovation, concepts and ideas 
for better recycling practices in the future.
  As the House Recycling Caucus Co-Chair, I am committed to helping 
foster economically viable and sustainable recycling in the United 
States to protect our environment, save energy and conserve natural 
resources for my kid's and their kid's futures.
  Recycling is the easiest way all of us can make a positive difference 
in our planet's future while supporting our economy through the 
creation of tens of thousands of jobs.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to ask that my colleagues join me in 
celebrating Global Recycling Day by getting involved and, of course, by 
recycling.

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