NCSL Public-Private Partnership on Recycling

The NCSL Foundation for State Legislatures is undertaking an exciting new venture focused on recycling in the United States.

It will follow the life cycle of products and explore policy initiative and innovative strategies to address the challenges brought about by shifting economic conditions, trade policies and consumer behavior. The partnership will provide legislatures, legislative staff and private sector partners a space to share information on industry issues and approaches, and work towards expanding expertise surrounding the recycling industry and developing best practices for states to consider.

Reduce what you use, reuse what you can, recycle everything else. Many of us are familiar with the three Rs of waste management. The first two tenets are relatively straightforward, but the last involves far more than tossing items into the blue bin. As such, the conversation surrounding the three Rs of waste management has transformed significantly within the last decade, with both policymakers and influencers working to adapt to the ever-evolving market.

Not only does recycling reduce the amount of waste headed to landfills, it also conserves natural resources, saves energy and creates jobs. In addition to the environmental benefits, recycling plays a critical role in supplying raw materials for manufacturing new products, and is essential to the manufacturing industry and state economies.

Though many aspects of the recycling industry are and will remain strong, it is not without challenges. From China’s import ban on solid waste to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the U.S. recycling industry is facing major aftershocks which have been felt by consumers, manufacturers and materials recovery facilities.

Changing international policies have limited the export of recyclables and left domestic markets struggling to keep up. Contamination in the recycling stream and dated infrastructure also affect operations, as well as products and packaging that were not designed for recycling. Finally, consumer confusion and a growing lack of confidence in the system are also major issues.

Given the absence of a federal recycling law, state and local governments are responsible for their own requirements and have taken various actions to address the innumerable nuances of recycling in their own communities.

States are gathering data, making investments in infrastructure, rolling out new public education campaigns and establishing market development centers. Many have also taken steps to limit single-use plastics and reduce food waste in favor of a circular economy. At the same time, industry is looking to more sustainable materials and designing products for easier recycling Not only are we seeing action across the states and within industry, but Congress is also beginning to dip its toes into the recycling space, drafting legislation that could potentially have broad impact for all stakeholders.

Steering Committee Members

Co-Chairs

• Sen. Emmett Hanger (R-Virginia)
• Rep. Lisa Cutter (D-Colorado)

Members

• Sen. Elaine Bowers (R-Kansas)
• Rep. Adam Bowling (R-Kentucky)
• Sen. Michael Dembrow (D-Oregon)
• Rep. Steven Galloway (R-Montana)
• Sen. Nicole Grohoski (D-Maine)
• Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Maryland)
• Sen. Sine Kerr (R-Arizona)
• Rep. Nicole Lowen (D-Hawaii)
• Rep. Mary Mushinsky (D-Connecticut)
• Rep. Ed Thompson (R-Texas)
• Rep. Carlton Wing (R-Arkansas)

Legislative Staff Members

• Christina Denney, New Jersey 
  • Assistant Research Analyst - Environment Section, Office of Legislative Services
• David Hartman, Georgia
  • Budget and Policy Analyst, House Budget and Research Office
• Benjamin Kranner, Wisconsin
  • Staff Analyst, Wisconsin Legislative Council

Private Partners

Partner	Contact	Title
Amazon	CJ Stolle	Public Policy
American Beverage Association	David Thorp	Vice President, State Government Affairs West
American Chemistry Council	Josh Young Britt Carter	Senior Director, Government Affairs Manager, State Affairs
Google	Joseph Dooley	State Policy Manager
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries	Danielle Waterfield	Chief Policy Officer
International Paper	David Kluesner	Director, State Government Relations
Origin Materials	Bryan J. Soukup	Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs
Pepsi-Co	Taylor Lustig	Sr. Manager, Public Policy & Strategic Engagement
Waste Management	Shannon Crawford	Policy Director