Committee Approves Study Resolution on Beverage Container Recycling Incentives

The Government Organization Committee voted to report originating Senate Concurrent Resolution 1 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. The resolution would request the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study incentives and policies to promote beverage-container recycling and to encourage recycling and redemption facilities to locate in West Virginia.

Counsel explained the study resolution is based on the concept in Senate Bill 855 and is intended to evaluate incentive approaches for materials and container types for which recycling centers are not available in the state. The resolution lists study elements including the types of recyclable materials to include, criteria for redemption centers to collect materials and dispense refunds, funding for economic incentives to attract facilities, necessary rules and procedures governing recycling and redemption, target recycling participation rates, and recommendations for legislative measures, funding opportunities and partnerships to encourage location of centers in West Virginia.

Counsel also said the resolution recognizes that local recycling centers can create local jobs and economic activity, and that when materials such as glass are transported out of state there are missed local economic opportunities. The vice chair moved the resolution out of committee with a recommendation that it do pass; the committee adopted the motion by voice vote and the resolution will be reported to the full Senate.

The transcript contains no specific funding amounts or timelines for the requested study. It also does not record testimony from municipal recycling operators, environmental groups or specific industry stakeholders in committee.