Pinkin, Lopez & McKeon Resolution Urging Governor to Take Action on Councils to Improve Solid Waste Management in NJ Passes Committee 

(TRENTON) – A resolution urging the Governor to appoint members to two councils that are not currently active in order to improve solid waste management in New Jersey was recently advanced by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.

The measure (AR-67), sponsored by Assembly Democrats Nancy Pinkin, Yvonne Lopez and John McKeon, urges the Governor to appoint members and select both a Chair and Vice Chair for the “Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management” and the “Recycling Market Development Council.” The purpose of both councils is to review and offer recommendations on various aspects of the waste management and recycling industries in New Jersey.

The former council was established several decades ago but has not met since 2014 and is therefore no longer active, while the latter council has not had any members appointed since its establishment earlier this year.

Upon the resolution advancing, Assemblywoman Pinkin (D-Middlesex), Assemblywoman Lopez (D-Middlesex) and Assemblyman McKeon (D-Essex, Morris) issued the following joint statement:

“Solid waste management is a huge industry in our state, with well over 25,000 employees handling more than 14 million tons of material every year.  Recent changes to the recycling process, such as China’s decision to stop accepting plastic from other countries, has complicated an already complex industry.

“We need the ‘Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management’ and the ‘Recycling Market Development Council’ to assess the situation and provide actionable recommendations on managing the constant stream of waste produced by nearly 9 million New Jersey residents.

“Our environment can’t wait – it’s time to activate these councils by selecting members who will get this critical work done.”

The measure now heads to the Assembly Speaker for further review.