On July 28, 1988 Gov. Bob Casey signed into law the most innovative recycling legislation in the nation, setting the standard for state recycling laws across the country.

As a national leader in waste diversion and recycling in the 1970s and 1980s, PRC was instrumental in the development and crafting Act 101 as a way to fight litter and to protect the environment and Pennsylvania’s scenic beauty.

Act 101 is a Pennsylvania law that requiring free and convenient access to recycling for the majority of Pennsylvanians, establishing a $2-per-ton fee on all waste disposed at landfills and waste-to-energy facilities (incinerators) which pays for grant opportunities for local recycling collections, public education, recycling and composting facilities, equipment and training.

To fulfill this requirements, the legislation mandated the majority of municipalities implement curbside recycling programs and provide recycling drop-off centers at all disposal facilities.

These curbside and drop-off recycling centers had to collect at least 3 of the following materials: glass (clear or colored), plastics, aluminum, steel & bimetallic cans, high grade office paper, corrugated paper, and newspaper.

Businesses, schools, government buildings, and other establishments within mandated municipalities were required to recycle aluminum, high grade office paper, and corrugated paper in addition to materials chosen by the municipality.

Thanks to Act 101, approximately 1,600 municipalities offer recycling programs to over 11 million Pennsylvanians.

Since 1988, the state’s recycling rate has grown from 2 percent to 36 percent!

Recycling now directly employs 66,000 Pennsylvanians and stimulates as many as 110,000 additional jobs in the Commonwealth!

Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption as well as fights deforestation and land degradation through mining!

Act 101 has done so much for the environment and economy here in Pennsylvania, however there is still much room for improvement and growth.

As markets develop and materials that individuals place in recycling bins change, PRC is taking steps to update and modernize this current piece of legislation to make it ready for life in 2017 and beyond.

PRC held its first Environmental Roundtable regarding the future of Act 101 in June 2017, inviting Pennsylvania’s top recycling experts and members of the local community to come together to discuss the future of recycling and Act 101.

PRC is excited to continue this conversation in Pittsburgh at the end of September at Construction Junction! Stay tuned for more details!

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.  Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar.  Click Here to support their work.

NewsClips:

PRC: PA’s Recycling Law- Act 101- Turns 19 Years Old

PRC Makes Recycling Easy In Allegheny County July 29

Penn State Project Tackles Mega-Trash From Sporting Events

The Debate About Plastic Bags: Fee, Ban Or Status Quo

PennDOT Trying Out Recycled Asphalt

Local Cows Love Their Herr’s Potato Chips

Crable: Discarded Plastics Filling Up Landfills Around U.S.

New Scranton Sewer System Owner Allows Use Of Keystone Landfill Leachate Line

Related Stories:

PRC: Environmental Round Table - Future Of Recycling And Act 101

Renewing Recycling Fee, illegal Dumping, Fixing E-Waste Recycling Law Key Issues At Hearing On Act 101

Sen. Alloway Introduces Bill To Totally Revamp PA Electronics Waste Recycling Program

[Posted: July 28, 2917]

7/31/2017