| R 352 |
| 2022 -- S 2582 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 06/07/2022 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION AND THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF PLASTICS RECYCLING |
Introduced By: Senators Miller, Coyne, Kallman, Euer, and Cano |
| Date Introduced: March 10, 2022 |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Island is blessed with the beautiful Narragansett Bay, hundreds of |
| miles of scenic coastline, dozens of islands, and hundreds of bodies of water including rivers, |
| ponds, and lakes; and |
| WHEREAS, These treasured Rhode Island resources are facing a continuous and |
| growing threat from plastic pollution; and |
| WHEREAS, Plastic pollution is dangerous to the health of our oceans and ocean species, |
| contributes to climate change, and is a major component of unsightly litter both on our lands and |
| in our waters; and |
| WHEREAS, Plastics that enter the marine environment break down through wave action |
| and sunlight into smaller pieces called microplastics, which can be ingested by marine life, |
| putting Rhode Island's fishing industries and aquatic ecosystems at risks; and |
| WHEREAS, Plastics are one component of an interconnected global commodities market |
| for packaging, packaging components, and post-consumer recycled materials; and |
| WHEREAS, The beverage industry, due to the increase in recycled-content mandates, |
| has a desire to secure post-consumer sources of recycled material; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby respectfully requests |
| the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) and Rhode Island Department of |
| Environmental Management (RIDEM) jointly to conduct a comprehensive study to support |
| expansion of markets for recycled materials; and if a market for recycled single stream does not |
| exist, to support implementation of a bottle redemption program comparable to a program |
| currently operating in the region. This study shall include: |
| 1. A summary of Rhode Island’s current requirements for plastics, glass, fibers, metals |
| and aluminum recycling; |
| 2. Estimates of the proportionate volume of plastics, glass, fibers, metals and aluminum |
| recycled versus disposed of in landfills in Rhode Island; |
| 3. Available information on the fate of plastics, glass, fibers, metals and aluminum |
| collected for recycling in Rhode Island; |
| 4. An analysis of plastics, glass, fibers, metals and aluminum generation by type and |
| current method of disposal; |
| 5. Information regarding recycling markets including in-state recycling, and national and |
| international markets; |
| 6. A review of current initiatives in neighboring states and nationally to reduce plastics, |
| glass, fibers, metals and aluminum and additional financial and market tools that may be |
| employed; |
| 7. A comparison of container deposit programs, including their methods and |
| administration, that rely on state administration with those that utilize third-party nonprofit entity |
| administration subject to state regulation; |
| 8. An analysis of the ways and means to enhance the development and expansion of |
| markets for post-consumer recycled plastic, glass, fibers, metals and aluminum, including state |
| and local purchasing and procurement practices; |
| 9. A study of the costs and practicality of new recycled content technologies, including |
| successful approaches to recycled plastic, glass, fibers, metals and aluminum materials |
| development employed by other states; |
| 10. An analysis of the trends in new plastics, glass, fibers, metals and aluminum being |
| developed, opportunities for reduction and recycling, and market development; |
| 11. Recommendations for market-based recycling opportunities for plastics, glass, fibers, |
| metals and aluminum; |
| 12. Recommendations for incentives for expanded in-state end uses for plastics, glass, |
| fibers, metals and aluminum; and |
| 13. A detailed plan regarding what would be necessary to implement a bottle redemption |
| program based on best practices as identified in the study in Rhode Island within two (2) years; |
| and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests the RIRRC and RIDEM to report its |
| findings and recommendations to the Senate on or before January 10, 2023; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Executive Director of the Rhode Island |
| Resource Recovery Corporation and the Director of the Rhode Island Department of |
| Environmental Management. |
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| LC004810/SUB A |
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