A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE JUNE 16-22, 2024, AS WASTE AND RECYCLING WORKERS WEEK IN HONOR OF SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTORS' HARD WORK AND DEPENDABILITY THAT PROVIDE AN invaluable SERVICE TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, South Carolina prides itself on its environmental stewardship efforts to protect its land, water, and air for the residents and businesses of this State; and

Whereas, the local governments and private sector companies that provide collection, hauling, processing, and disposal services largely go unnoticed throughout the year; and

Whereas, South Carolina produces more than five million tons of waste each year that must be collected, hauled, processed, or disposed of in some way by these organizations; and

Whereas, the work that is done to manage the State's waste materials is done by and large by the men and women who collect these materials from the residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors who generate waste materials; and

Whereas, the waste and recycling industry has a multi-billion dollar per year economic impact on our State's economy and employs thousands of people; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina wishes to support local governments and private entities to provide safe and efficient solid waste and recycling systems that protect our environment now and for future generations; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina recognizes the work that solid waste and recycling workers do on a day in and day out basis to keep South Carolina communities sanitary and to make sure that our homes and neighborhoods are livable; and

Whereas, these sanitation professionals begin work early each day and continue until their work is complete, in all kinds of weather: heat, cold, rain, sunshine, humidity, and even ice and snow; and

Whereas, their days are long, and their jobs are physically demanding, requiring speed, strength, and stamina to serve thousands of customers every day and every week; and

Whereas, solid waste and recycling collectors are frequently among the unsung heroes in any organization, picking up what others put down, discard, or simply throw away.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize June 16-22, 2024, as Waste and Recycling Workers Week in honor of solid waste and recycling collectors' hard work and dependability that provide an invaluable service to communities across South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) SC Palmetto Chapter.

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