SENATE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE MEMORIAL 43

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL RECYCLING OR REUSE OF WASTE MATERIALS IN RURAL AREAS.

     WHEREAS, waste materials contaminate the environment and present public health risks; and

     WHEREAS, waste materials are costly to collect and dispose of; and

     WHEREAS, waste materials can be reprocessed into commercially useful goods; and

     WHEREAS, the environment benefits from the recycling or reuse of waste materials; and

     WHEREAS, in their quest to recycle or reuse waste materials, rural communities may face unique challenges, including longer hauling distances, lower population densities and fewer resources;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the appropriate legislative interim committee that studies economic and rural development issues be requested to study the potential for recycling or reuse of waste materials in rural areas and to provide any resulting findings and recommendations to the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that other groups be requested to participate in the study, including the New Mexico farm and livestock bureau, the New Mexico state university cooperative extension service, New Mexico's soil and water conservation districts, the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties, the department of environment and any other interested parties or groups; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following topics be included in the study:

          A. the use of composting waste;

          B. recycling of used rubber tires and uses for the product;

          C. recycling of used plastic products and uses for the product;

          D. uses of farm, dairy and ranch waste;

          E. uses for landfill waste; and

          F. proposed uses of sludge from wastewater and water plants; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council, the New Mexico farm and livestock bureau, the New Mexico state university cooperative extension service, New Mexico's soil and water conservation districts, the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties, the secretary of environment and any other interested parties or groups.

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