SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): A new state bill by a Tennessee state senator aims to boost recycling and reduce landfill usage. The “Tennessee Waste Recycling and Reduction Act” by Sen. Heidi Campbell targets plastic waste, with special impetus to “chemicals of high concern”.

The bill proposes joint effort by a state-appointed board and a newly formed non-profit, which comprises of packaging producers. It will focus on developing methods to make both reuse and recycling of packaging materials easier. Also, in a bid to support local Northeast Tennessee governments to counter rising costs of recycling, the joint group plans to implement a system of dues.

The dues paid by the “Producer Responsibility Organization” (PRO) members will be used to fund increased use of recycling and reuse. The packaging producers will be forced to join the PRO. The dues payable by the companies will vary depending on the volume of packaging materials produced by them as well as their chemical composition.

The bill has similarities to laws already passed in Maine and Oregon and to similar legislations in several other states, noted Sen. Heidi Campbell. It has real potential for bipartisan support for support in Tennessee General Assembly, Heidi added.

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