New Jersey-2022-SJR77-Introduced

A Joint Resolution acknowledging the benefits of reusing and upcycling plastic in the environment by designating April 16 of each year as "Upcycling Day."

Whereas, Upcycling is the act of taking something no longer useful in its current form and giving it a second life and a new function, a creative process rooted in the concept of a circular economy where waste is regarded as a resource and is repurposed into something practical, valuable, or beautiful; and

Whereas, Upcycling offers practical ways to support efforts in the State and worldwide to conserve resources and enhance and clean up the natural environment, as well as raise awareness of the need for sustainable development; and

Whereas, Promoting upcycling and reuse of plastic materials also raises awareness of the damage that plastic pollution is inflicting on the environment and offers a positive, viable use for single-use plastic that would otherwise end up in landfills, incinerators, or oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water where it harms wildlife as well as ecosystems; and

Whereas, By creating awareness of the benefits of material reuse and upcycling, young people can be encouraged to be more mindful of their environment and to adopt sustainable, environmentally friendly living habits; and

Whereas, Upcycling projects can develop and strengthen healthy relationships between adults and children by bringing them together to explore creative ideas for reusing many kinds of materials, including the plastic and materials used in common items such as tins from canned foods, glass jars, milk cartons, yogurt tubs, and shampoo bottles that can be "upcycled" and given alternative beneficial, practical, and attractive uses, such as planters for growing kitchen herbs, pen and pencil cup holders, and reusable storage jars; and

Whereas, A number of New Jersey artists have embraced upcycling as part of the creation of their own unique art and have been nationally recognized for it, including Willie Cole whose plastic bottle sculptures are displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and other museums nationwide; and

Whereas, Attention to the upcycling of plastic will also bring attention to the upcycling and reuse of other still useful items and materials; and

Whereas, New Jersey is home to a number of non-profit organizations actively involved in upcycling, such as Repurpose New Jersey that upcycles textiles and Dress for Success of Hudson County that collects gently used clothes and donates them to working women and men and those trying to re-enter the work force; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Both Houses of the New Jersey Legislature acknowledge the benefits to the environment of reusing and upcycling plastic and other common materials by designating April 16 of each year as "Upcycling Day" in the State and encourage the citizens of the State to participate in upcycling on that day and year-round.

2. The Governor of the State is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing April 16 as "Upcycling Day" in New Jersey, and calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the mayor of each municipality, and the administrator of each school district in the State.

4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution acknowledges the benefits to the environment of reusing and upcycling plastic and other common materials by designating April 16 of each year as "Upcycling Day."