| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Each year, landfills across the state are loaded |
|
|
with valuable materials that could otherwise be used for new |
|
|
products or repurposed supplies; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, This inefficient and unsustainable approach to |
|
|
waste management can be remedied by developing zero waste plans, |
|
|
which establish practical steps to reduce waste and to safely |
|
|
reuse, recycle, or compost discarded products and packaging; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Zero waste policies help protect natural resources |
|
|
by reducing carbon emissions and conserving raw materials for |
|
|
remanufacturing; by implementing such policies, numerous |
|
|
businesses, communities, and individuals have reported success in |
|
|
diverting from 70 to 90 percent or more of their wastes from |
|
|
landfills and incinerators; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In addition to promoting stewardship of the |
|
|
environment, zero waste plans present an opportunity for economic |
|
|
growth; according to the Environmental Protection Agency, for every |
|
|
10,000 tons of solid waste kept out of landfills, up to 10 recycling |
|
|
or 75 materials reuse jobs are created; moreover, such plans can |
|
|
help businesses thrive; General Motors, for example, has reduced |
|
|
its costs substantially and has increased profits by applying zero |
|
|
waste practices; encouraged by these favorable results, cities |
|
|
across the Lone Star State, including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, |
|
|
and San Antonio, are planning or have formally adopted zero waste |
|
|
projects; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, By laying the foundation for responsible resource |
|
|
management and promoting sustainable consumption through zero |
|
|
waste policies and practices, the public and private sectors can |
|
|
work together to conserve our resources and bolster our economy; |
|
|
now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby encourage communities, businesses, |
|
|
institutions, colleges and universities, stadiums, organizations, |
|
|
and individuals to adopt zero waste goals; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives challenge |
|
|
all Texans to pursue zero waste wherever possible and highlight |
|
|
their progress with zero waste events during America Recycles Day |
|
|
and Earth Day each year. |