Press Release 2/10/21
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced the relaunch of the bipartisan Recycling Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 117th Congress. Pallone will serve as a Co-Chair of the Caucus with Representatives David P. Joyce (OH-14), Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Rodney Davis (IL-13). The Caucus educates House Members on the environmental and economic benefits of recycling and seeks to increase the visibility of the recycling industry in the United States. The Caucus will hold regular events starting with a briefing and discussion on microplastics that will be announced in the near future.
“Recycling has long been one tool we have used to reduce pollution, protect our environment, and fight the climate crisis. It’s clear we need to do more to ensure that our recycling system solves the pollution crisis instead of contributing to it. The U.S. recycling industry is an important economic engine and jobs provider on the cutting edge of innovations to improve how we handle waste and scrap materials. That’s why the House Recycling Caucus will highlight how Congress can improve recycling to fight climate change, address the plastics crisis, and boost local economies,” Pallone said. “I am excited to welcome a great group of colleagues as Co-Chairs of the House Recycling Caucus. The Caucus has a great tradition of bipartisan leadership, and I welcome their enthusiasm for improving our country’s recycling systems.”
“ISRI welcomes Chairman Pallone’s initiative to regenerate the House Recycling Caucus in the 117th Congress along with new co-chairs Haley Stevens (D-MI), David Joyce (R-OH) and Rodney Davis (R-IL). The House Recycling Caucus was established 15 years ago as a way to bring Members of Congress together to learn more and help promote recycling,” said Billy Johnson of Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI). “ISRI is excited to again work with Chairman Pallone and the new co-chairs to help illustrate why recycling is essential to the manufacturing supply chain, environmental protection, energy conservation, and a solution to combat climate change.”
“America is litter-ally awash in waste, washing-up on beaches and smothering communities in piles of trash and costly bills — especially due to the pandemic. Yet, with leadership, innovation, and ingenuity these piles of waste can become an economic and environmental boon, creating thousands of jobs. Mr. Pallone is answering the call and leading the way by reviving the House Recycling Caucus with a dynamic bi-partisan team of Co-Chairs. United, they can bring urgency, purpose, and 21st century savvy to improve and protect communities and stop wasting our planet’s resources,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action.
Pallone organized the House Recycling Caucus in 2006 in the 109th Congress. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Pallone held a hearing last year on the plastics waste crisis. His draft CLEAN Future Act outlined a plan to improve waste and recycling issues in the United States.
