SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 6

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Dede Feldman

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR TRANSFORMING THE ECONOMICS OF RECYCLING IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, solid waste disposal sites and illegal dumping might potentially harm ground water resources in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, maintaining and developing new landfills is costly and stressful for local communities; and

     WHEREAS, forest thinning projects, the current bark beetle epidemic and the removal of non-native trees along watercourses have created an immediate need to develop markets to encourage the production of value-added products from tree waste; and

     WHEREAS, few recycling and waste diversion options are available to communities in New Mexico, as evidenced by the state's recycling rate of under ten percent and waste diversion rate of twenty-five percent; and

     WHEREAS, the construction and demolition industry is responsible for thirty percent of the landfill waste in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, recycling and waste diversion options are limited by the lack of local markets and manufacturing enterprises that use waste commodities as feedstock; and

     WHEREAS, integrated waste management planning that emphasizes recycling and waste diversion will develop recycling markets and recycled feedstock manufacturing enterprises and promote job growth; and

     WHEREAS, new markets and business opportunities will provide waste diversion options to communities across the state and ultimately support the local tax base; and

     WHEREAS, increased recycling and waste diversion will reduce pollution and promote more efficient use of natural resources; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico recycling coalition developed a preliminary report entitled "Transforming the Economics of Recycling in New Mexico" that identifies resources and methods to promote recycling, waste diversion and market development;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of environment cooperate with the economic development department and the New Mexico recycling coalition to develop a written strategic plan for transforming the economics of recycling in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the strategic plan for transforming the economics of recycling in New Mexico include a review of resources and methods to promote recycling, waste diversion and market development; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the strategic plan include a recommendation of an appropriate agency to implement and administer the methods identified in the plan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of environment be requested to present the written strategic plan to the appropriate interim legislative committee by December 1, 2004; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of the strategic plan be distributed to members of the appropriate interim legislative committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that two copies of the strategic plan be filed with the legislative council service; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of environment, the economic development department and the New Mexico recycling coalition.

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