TO DECLARE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017, AS "SOUTH CAROLINA RECYCLERS' DAY" AND TO COMMEND AND RECOGNIZE 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 2016, the South Carolina recycling industry announced $102 million in capital investment, the creation of over three hundred and fifty jobs with five new or existing companies investing in the State in 2016. The recycling industry is comprised of haulers, collectors, processors, brokers, recycling equipment vendors, and manufacturers, as well as end-users or manufacturers who use recycled material feedstock and make recycled content products from them; and

Whereas, the state recycling rate in 2015 was 26.5 percent and resulted in 1.2 million tons of municipal solid waste being recycled in South Carolina. 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 would recycle two more bottles a week, we could create three hundred 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 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 House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, declare Wednesday, March 1, 2017 as "South Carolina Recyclers' Day" and commend and recognize 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.