Industry Groups Want To Restore Recycling Funding to Budget Print
News - Articles for State & Local
Written by GBP Staff   
Tuesday, 31 March 2015 10:08

lake-michigan-shoreMADISON - Wisconsin’s four solid waste and recycling professional organizations a letter to Gov. Scott Walker last week detailing their collective opposition to cuts to Wisconsin’s recycling program and waste reduction/recycling research. The programs in question are all funded by the $7 per ton Recycling Fee charged at Wisconsin landfills.

The four groups are the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin (AROW), Council on Recycling, Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) – Badger Chapter, and the Wisconsin Counties Solid Waste Managers Association.

The groups want the Governor and his Republican legislative allies to reconsider the following reductions or eliminations in funding from the Environmental Management Account:

  • Reduction in Recycling Grants Available to Local Governments ($4 million)
  • Elimination in funding for UW Extension Solid & Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC) ($394,100)
  • Elimination in funding for UW Solid Waste Research & Experiments ($156,100)

The groups maintain that the cuts proposed will not save Wisconsin any money and may in fact cost the state an estimated $6 billion from the positive economic impact of recycling. When recycling is successful and sustainable, we all benefit from the jobs created, products made from recyclables and water and energy saved.

A complete copy of their letter can be viewed here.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 11:11