U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) announced the relaunch of the House Recycling Caucus for the 119th聽Congress.聽Congressman聽Joyce聽will again serve as the Co-Chair of the Caucus alongside Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11), Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01).聽The Caucus seeks to educate House Members and other policymakers on the complex nature of the recycling industry and promote its benefits to our economy and environment.
鈥淩ecycling is a critical tool for reducing pollution in our environment while also contributing to the job market and economy,鈥澛爏aid Congressman聽Joyce.聽鈥淭he national recycling rate is barely over thirty percent, largely because rural communities lack access to recycling infrastructure, which prevents them from participating in the circular economy. As Co-Chair of the Recycling Caucus, I plan to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance initiatives focused on expanding access to recycling in rural communities in OH-14 and across the country, as well as continuing to educate policymakers on Capitol Hill about the benefits of the process.鈥�
鈥淩ecycling is much more than just the blue bin 鈥� it鈥檚 key to protecting our environment, strengthening Michigan manufacturing, and powering local economies,鈥� said Congresswoman Stevens. 鈥淚n Michigan alone, the industry generates nearly $5 billion annually and supports thousands of good-paying jobs across sectors. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Recycling Caucus, I鈥檓 committed to advancing circular solutions for everything from industrial metals to plastics to hard-to-reach recyclables.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 proud to join the bipartisan House Recycling Caucus because Iowa鈥檚 farmers, families, and businesses know the value of using resources wisely,鈥� said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. 鈥淪trengthening America鈥檚 recycling infrastructure isn鈥檛 just good for the environment, it鈥檚 good for our economy and national security. By improving access and innovation in recycling, we can reduce waste, create jobs, support American manufacturers who rely on these materials, and keep more of our supply chain here at home instead of overseas. This will help decrease our reliance on foreign sources of primary materials and ensure our communities thrive for generations to come.鈥�
鈥淭he U.S. generates over 292 million tons of household and commercial waste every year, yet only 32% is recycled. That鈥檚 a huge problem鈥攁nd exactly why having a bipartisan Recycling Caucus is so important,鈥� said Congresswoman Pingree. 鈥淭hrough my work as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee and as Chair and Founder of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus, I鈥檝e seen how smart recycling policies can reduce waste, create jobs, and prevent pollution. We have the resources and expertise to be a global leader in recycling, but we have to have the political will to take on that responsibility. I鈥檓 very much looking forward to working with my colleagues to make that case to the American people鈥攁nd to create the kinds of policies that put us on the cutting edge of sustainability.鈥�