[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 5, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H4337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ENACT NATIONAL RECYCLING STANDARDS

  (Ms. McCOLLUM asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, there are more than 9,800 local 
recycling programs following different standards in the United States. 
There is no coordination.
  Cities and counties are struggling, and recycling is at risk of 
collapsing. Increasingly, recyclable plastics and papers are going to 
landfills and incinerators, and poisoning our oceans and waterways.
  It is time for a national recycling strategy to harmonize standards 
across the country, strengthen markets, and reduce contamination in the 
recycling system.
  Leadership is needed from Congress to work with stakeholders to make 
recycling environmentally and economically sustainable.
  For example, it is time for a standardized national system of 
labeling. Every household, business, school, park, and stadium should 
be using a universal, standardized labeling system that reduces 
contamination in the recycling stream and enhances the market viability 
of recyclable materials.
  As citizens and consumers, Americans want recycling to work. It is 
time for Washington to get to work to make recycling work.

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