TO RECOGNIZE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2018 AS "SOUTH CAROLINA RECYCLERS' DAY" AND TO COMMEND SOUTH CAROLINA'S RECYCLERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR STATE'S ECONOMY, THEIR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND THEIR LEADERSHIP IN PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL-MANAGEMENT OPTIONS.
Whereas, recycling in South Carolina creates jobs, supports economic development, conserves scarce natural resources, reduces energy and water consumption, decreases production costs, inspires innovation, increases prosperity, and improves our children's futures; and
Whereas, the recycling industry has an economic impact of $13 billion on South Carolina's economy through the provision of local jobs, manufacturing of recycled-content materials, and responsible material-management solutions. Additionally, the recycling industry is projected to increase approximately nineteen percent on an annual basis; and
Whereas, in South Carolina, the recycling industry is directly responsible each year for more than 54,000 jobs, $2.7 billion in annual personal income, and an estimated $820 million in tax revenue; and
Whereas, in 2017, the South Carolina recycling industry announced $508 million in capital investment and the creation of over 200 jobs with five new or existing companies investing in the State. The recycling industry is comprised of haulers, collectors, processors, brokers, recycling equipment vendors, and manufacturers, as well as end-users or manufacturers that use recycled material feedstock and make recycled content products from them; and
Whereas, recycling can scale up more rapidly than other industries, with a jobs multiplier of 2.4. For every ten jobs that are created in the recycling industry, fourteen other indirect jobs are created. By making small changes in daily routines to incorporate recycling, South Carolinians can make a significant impact on their economy and environment; in fact, if every household in the Carolinas recycled two more bottles a week, it could create 300 more local jobs, and
Whereas, through the recognition and promotion of the economic, energy, and environmental benefits of recycling, South Carolina's recycling industry will grow, thereby creating efficient market-based solutions for various energy and waste-management concerns; and
Whereas, the significant energy benefits of recycling provide greater diversity and reliability to the South Carolina energy grid while protecting the State's natural resources. The manufacture of recycled content products requires, on average, seventeen times less energy than manufacturing the same products from virgin materials. Recycling industries represent one of the most pragmatic solutions readily available to conserve scarce natural resources, reduce production costs, and lessen total energy consumption. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize Wednesday, April 25, 2018 as "South Carolina Recyclers' Day" and commend South Carolina's recyclers for their contributions to our State's economy, their efforts to promote energy efficiency, and their leadership in providing sustainable material-management options.