111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H.R 789
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
November 10, 2009
Ms. SHELBY GIBSON (D-California), Ms. BRITTANY POWERS (D-Idaho), Ms.
ARIEL THURMAN (D-Utah)
A BILL
To make recycling mandatory for the public, big and small business, corporations,
schools and homes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the ‘Recycling Act of 2009’
SECTION 2. FINDINGS
Congress finds that –
(1) Only around 23% of Americans recycle. (1.)
(2) Recycling one ton (about 2,000 pounds) of paper saves 17 trees, two barrels of
oil (enough to run the average car for 1,260 miles), 4,100 kilowatts of energy
(enough power for the average home for six months), 3.2 cubic yards of
landfill space, and 60 pounds of pollution. (2.)
(3) Recycling 1 aluminum can saves enough energy to run your TV for 3 hours.
(2.)
(4) In 2006, a record 53.4 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. was
recovered for recycling. Americans recovered an extraordinary 53.5 million
tons, averaging 360 pounds per person. (3.)
(5) Recycling creates 6 times as many jobs as land filling. (3.)
(6) The U.S. is 5% of the world’s population but uses 25% of its natural
resources. (3.)
1. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/americans_recycle.php
2. http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-recycling
3. http://www.recyclingsuperguide.com/
SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS
In this Act:
(1) Kilowatts – The term ‘kilowatts’ means a unit of power equal to 1,000
watts.
SECTION 4. SPECIFICATIONS
(1) INTRODUCING SLOWLY – In a period of 3 years, there will be
introductory laws, including the mandatory sell of reusable bags and recycling
trash bins for each home, complexes and businesses.
(2) MANDATORY LAWS – After the 3 years, a mandatory law for each home,
business, and complex will be issued involving recycling. Each must have
recycling bins and places for aluminum cans. Businesses must have reusable
bags, different recycling bins for each recyclable.
(3) FUNDS FOR RECYCLING MATERIAL – The profit made from recycling
will be used to pay for the bins and other materials needed. Any money
needed beforehand will come from a government issued tax plastic bags and
funds donated by reusable energy supporters.
(4) REGULATIONS – A scheduled quota of the % of Americans and businesses
will be issued each year. If the percentage has not changed dramatically, a
new stricter bill may arise.
SECTION 5. CONTROLLING AGENCY
(1) ESTABLISHMENT – The National Recycling Coalition will be the head of
this controlling this bill.
(2) COMMITTEES – The head will open any committees that he/she believes is
right. The committees will find more effective ways of recycling and better
cost efficiency and they will also monitor the effectiveness of the bill.
(3) VIOLATIONS – Any violation of this law after the enactment of this bill shall
be referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
SECTION 6. PENALITIES
(1) Any violation of this law will result in a fines, and/or incarceration time which
is to be determined by the head of the National Recycling Coalition. Any
more investigation will be done by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
S. Gibson (D-NE) B. Powers (D-ID)
A. Thurman (D-UT)
President of the United States