Committee adopts bill to move recycling program to Department of Public Works

The Senate spending committee on resources, economic development and workforce voted to adopt Senate Bill 24-08, which transfers functions of the Commonwealth Recycling Act of 1999 from the Division of Environmental Quality to the Department of Public Works and authorizes DPW to implement a recycling redemption program across Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

Supporters told the committee the program has already shown results under recent grant-funded pilots. "We saw volume of cans removed when we would normally see it through processing," Secretary Yewon said, adding the initial grants reduced visible aluminum and plastic in landfill loads and extended facility life. Secretary Yewon said the short, grant-funded pilot that began April 28 was successful and that her department plans rules and staff to expand the program if the bill becomes law.

The bill’s proponents and DPW staff described how the program has operated under grants and what they expect if the statute is transferred. Office of Grants Management provided about $50,000 for the current effort and DEQ contributed $30,000, Secretary Yewon said. DPW intends to promulgate regulations if the bill becomes law; she estimated at least 90 days would be required to publish rules. The department has identified staffing additions in its budget submission to support a broader recycling effort, including on Rota and Tinian.

Committee members asked for details about material handling and end markets. Secretary Yewon said aluminum cans are bid to regional smelters and shipyards; glass would be pulverized on-island into a sand-like material for reuse in paving and decorative uses; tires and bulky items would be shredded and potentially reserved for a planned pyrolysis pilot. "We have a pulverizer that we grind down the glass and bring it down to almost sand like material, and we can reuse that for paving," she said. She said shipping tires off-island previously cost roughly $400,000 and that on-island processing can reduce those costs.

Officials provided program metrics and cost context. Secretary Yewon said the landfill contractor cost about $106,000 per month; tipping fees are $37.50 and contractor handling costs have been roughly $40–$60 per metric ton in recent years. DPW staff said combined actions—diversion of recyclables, compaction on outer islands and targeted reuse—should reduce landfill volumes and slow the need for new cell construction.

Senators who spoke in favor said the program would streamline services and convert an existing, but unimplemented, law into active operations. "The whole concept of the recycling act is to streamline government services and reduce duplication of services, but at the same time, incentivize, reduce litter by incentivizing the process rather than penalizing," said Senator Manny Castro, who spoke in support and said the act was originally introduced decades ago but never implemented.

A motion to adopt Senate Bill 24-08 in its current form was offered and seconded on the committee floor; the committee chair called for ayes and the motion carried. The chair asked the legislative assistant to prepare a committee report for signature and scheduling on a future session calendar.

DPW officials asked the committee to consider timing and funding so the ongoing pilot does not lapse while regulations are promulgated. Secretary Yewon urged the public to continue collecting recyclables pending rulemaking: "Please hold on to your cans, your plastic bottles, and also your glass bottles because the goal is to restart this as quickly as possible."