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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY
______
HON. JOHN SHIMKUS
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to draw my colleagues' attention
to Global Recycling Day on March 18. Global Recycling Day was created
in 2018 to help recognize, and celebrate, the importance recycling
plays in preserving our primary resources and securing the future of
our planet.
The creation of Global Recycling Day is aimed at the promotion of a
global and united approach to recycling. The mission of Global
Recycling Day is to help world leaders understand that recycling is too
important not to be a global issue, and to ask all citizens of the
world to think of recyclables in terms of what they are: valuable
resources, not waste. By combining as many voices and efforts as
possible on a single day, together we are raising awareness of the
urgent need to be more reliable recyclers and more conscientious
consumers.
There are six major natural resources on the planet, Madam Speaker--
water, air, coal, oil, natural gas and minerals. I think recyclables
ought to be thought of as the world's Seventh Resource.
Recycling prevents more CO2 emissions each year than those
generated by the entire aviation industry, while simultaneously
reducing the need to extract the Earth's finite virgin natural
resources. Without recycling, all our used refrigerators, plastic
bottles, packing boxes, cars, cell phones and paper cups would
contribute to the growing waste mountains, which are either incinerated
or sent to landfill--never to be used again.
In the United States alone, we recycle more than 130 million metric
tons of scrap materials every year and employ more than 130,000
American workers. These valuable materials go directly back into the
manufacturing chain, helping manufacturers be more energy efficient.
Global Recycling Day 2019 will work to get more young people engaged
with the power of the Seventh Resource through a variety of key
partnerships. The initiative will also work with businesses and
entrepreneurs globally to share their innovation, concepts and ideas
for better recycling practices in the future.
As the House Recycling Caucus Co-Chair, I am committed to helping
foster economically viable and sustainable recycling in the United
States to protect our environment, save energy and conserve natural
resources for my kid's and their kid's futures.
Recycling is the easiest way all of us can make a positive difference
in our planet's future while supporting our economy through the
creation of tens of thousands of jobs.
Madam Speaker, I would like to ask that my colleagues join me in
celebrating Global Recycling Day by getting involved and, of course, by
recycling.
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