Arlington, VA – The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) applauds the U.S. Senate for passing S.3742, the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2022, and S.3743, the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act. NWRA has been working with the staff of Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on these bills to improve rural recycling accessibility and recycling/composting data collection long before their introduction.

“We thank Senate leadership for bringing these bills up under unanimous consent and urge the House of Representatives to move swiftly to pass these bills on suspension as well,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith. “We congratulate Senators Carper and Capito and thank them for involving NWRA in an integral way throughout this process to pass this legislation that will advance America’s domestic recycling infrastructure and capabilities.”

Then-NWRA Chairman Ben Harvey testified on February 2 before the EPW Committee at its hearing to examine improving domestic recycling and composting programs, particularly in rural areas. NWRA met with and provided assistance to EPW Committee staff as these bills were being drafted and offered its full-throated support for the bills upon their introduction in early March.

In June, Representatives David McKinley (R-WV) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (H.R. 8183) in the House, while the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (H.R. 8059) was introduced by Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO), Tim Burchett (R-TN), and Bill Foster (D-IL). NWRA submitted a letter to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change in June supporting House passage of these bills.

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ABOUT NWRA
The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) represents the private sector waste and recycling services industry. Association members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that manage waste, recycling and medical waste, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and various other service providers. For more information about NWRA, please visit www.wasterecycling.org.