SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 20

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE SET AN EXAMPLE IN RECYCLING FOR THE STATE BY EXPANDING RECYCLING IN THE STATE CAPITOL AND SUPPORTING STATE AND LOCAL RECYCLING PROGRAMS.

     WHEREAS, the legislature passed the Solid Waste Act in 1990 that requires state government to recycle; and

     WHEREAS, the Solid Waste Act requires government agencies and the legislature to send recycling plans to the solid waste bureau of the department of environment; and

     WHEREAS, state capitol employees and legislators have been recycling paper, cardboard boxes and computers and they are starting to recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles; and

     WHEREAS, by increasing its recycling, the legislature can set an example for all New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, there should be additional recycling bins located in convenient locations in the state capitol and other government buildings so that recycling can be easy for everyone; and

     WHEREAS, many people, including wild friends students, have big dreams about creating jobs that help the environment, and recycling industries create new jobs; and  

     WHEREAS, New Mexico needs more recycling plants so that communities can have recycling programs; and

     WHEREAS, producing an aluminum can from recycled material saves up to ninety-five percent of the energy needed to produce a can from raw material, thereby reducing the production of greenhouse gases; and

     WHEREAS, the United States uses more than ninety million tons of paper and paperboard a year and five hundred thousand trees are cut down to make Sunday newspapers; and

     WHEREAS, recycling paper and cardboard saves trees for wildlife habitat; and

     WHEREAS, the average New Mexican generates five pounds of trash per day; and

     WHEREAS, recycling saves landfill space and reduces methane gas emissions; and

     WHEREAS, plastics and metal trash can cause suffocation, block digestive tracts or cut the mouths of wild creatures who attempt to ingest them; and

     WHEREAS, plastic trash can harm wildlife by trapping small animals, entangling the feet of large animals and wrapping around the beaks and necks of birds; and

     WHEREAS, recycling makes a cleaner world for people, future generations and wildlife; and

     WHEREAS, last year, the United States recycling rate was thirty-two percent, but New Mexicans recycled only ten percent of recyclable materials, which does not send a good message about New Mexico to other people; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes the wild friends students for working to create model recycling programs at their own schools and for educating others about the importance of recycling; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature supports recycling in schools and encourages school districts to develop recycling programs in all schools, including placement of recycling bins and pick-up services on school campuses; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature encourages communities to set up recycling programs, including curbside recycling; and

     WHEREAS, the governor has declared New Mexico to be a "green state"; and

     WHEREAS, all New Mexicans should be able to recycle easily;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recycling by the legislature's members and employees, state and local governments, schools, communities and the public and the development of recycling plants and jobs in New Mexico be supported; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature increase funding to the legislative building services budget to purchase additional recycling bins for paper, aluminum, glass and plastic for the use of the public, employees and legislators; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that additional recycling services for the state capitol be in place no later than January 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature request all state agencies to send state agency waste reduction and recycling plan worksheets to the solid waste bureau of the department of environment by January 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature request the public education department to work with schools to improve recycling programs in schools; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative council service, the house and senate chief clerks, the office of the governor, the general services department, the public education department and the department of environment.

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