S.20.4.16: Southern Recycling Act (Law'd)

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I think this would be a good measure for the environment. It a) would avoid items being recycled ending up in landfill to the greatest extent such workable (it happens more often than you might think), b) create more of a incentive for people to recycle generally, and c) encourage more reuse of material in general. I added in the provision to allow retailers to seek compensation in order to avoid any chance of upwards pressure on prices or on retailers' finances.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I have some concerns on the financial cost of this - retail stores is quite a broad term. Between the potential need to hire new employees to handle this, the collection and storage, and then transporting it to the recycling centers, it seems like it is creating a lot of work. How about just having people bring their recycled goods directly to recycling centers and we help subsidize the cost for recycling centers to operate and make these payments?

What if the money that this program would cost overall, would be subject to a yearly cap? As in, it cannot cost more than x amount of money.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I have some concerns on the financial cost of this - retail stores is quite a broad term. Between the potential need to hire new employees to handle this, the collection and storage, and then transporting it to the recycling centers, it seems like it is creating a lot of work. How about just having people bring their recycled goods directly to recycling centers and we help subsidize the cost for recycling centers to operate and make these payments?

What if the money that this program would cost overall, would be subject to a yearly cap? As in, it cannot cost more than x amount of money.

But still charge all retail stores to be responsible for handling this? What happens if the funds run out mid-year, do they just stop the program? I know Vermont and a couple other states have a program like this set up, I would be curious to see how they operate and fund it.

I drew up the text of this without seeing the specifics of Vermont's programs. Now that you mention it, I am curious how their programs work as well.
But I wouldn't be adverse to retailers not being part of the program altogether, and us creating special recycling centers to allow this to be properly enacted.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Southern Recycling Act
1. In the Southern Region, the following items or groups of items may be redeemed at  recycling centers in return for eight cents each: one paper bag; one soda can; and four plastic bags.
3. The government shall subsidize the added cost to recycling centers by up to $250 million per year.
4. Trash collection services in the Southern Region are required to offer recycling with their trash service. They may only impose one fee for trash and recycling, not separate.
5. All public spaces, with the exception of bathrooms, shall be required to have a recycling bin present wherever there is a trash bin.
6. This Act shall take effect on September 1, 2021.