The Massachusetts Chapter works to pass important environmental bills and the state and local level. To get involved in our legislative program, please contact legislate@sierraclubmass.org.

Reinstate the Clean Environment Fund  (S)
Formal Title: An Act To Reinstate The Clean Environment Fund.
Sponsors: Rep. Koczera
Contact:
New/Refile: Refile of H792
Bill Text: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/185/ht00pdf/ht00792.pdf

The Clean Environment Fund was eliminated by Gov. Weld. These funds were used to help our cities and towns increase recycling rates – which have unfortunately steadily fallen since the fund’s demise. This fund is generated by unclaimed deposits (“Escheatage”).   Increase Redemption Center's reimbursements

Additional Information:

This bill would reinstate the Clean Environment Fund and allows the allocation of the proceeds from the fund for recycling, solid waste management, and the maintenance of DCR Parks facilities.

It is no secret that the recycling rates throughout the Commonwealth are falling. In their annual recycling report, the Mass DEP noted example after example of cities and towns where their rate has fallen dramatically.

For example,

• Quincy recycled a peak 35%, but is currently recycling only 30% of its municipal solid waste (MSW).
• Boston recycled a peak of 17%, but is currently recycling only 12% of its MSW.
• Plymouth recycled a peak of 48%, but is currently recycling only 12% of its MSW.
• Palmer recycled a peak of 46% but is currently recycling only 8% of its MSW.
• Decreases in Haverhill, Holyoke, Brookline, and in my hometown of Cambridge have fallen. There is no corner of the Commonwealth that has not suffered from the decrease in recycling rates.[i]

Just as recycling rates have been eroding in the past 4 years, there has been a marked increase in litter. Surveys of parks and interviews with park personnel and maintenance personnel in our cities and towns have determined that each year, litter is becoming more of a problem.[ii][iii]

Some of this litter could be blamed on a decrease in the number of trash receptacles –some can be traced back to decreases in budgets to maintain and clean our parks – and some can be traced to decreased public anti-litter campaigns. But the root of all these issues is that there state’s earmarked funds known as the CEF has been taken away from the citizens of the commonwealth.

Four years ago, Gov Romney, looking for a bandaids to quickly fix to the state’s financial woes, destroyed the vehicle that had been successfully providing funds for many projects including those that resulted in cleaner parks, annual increases to recycling rates, and litter clean ups. While the former governor’s panicked response did enable the commonwealth to maintain many important services, the long-term results of this hasty action are now becoming evident.

The explanations by our city and town recycling coordinators are universal. They are doing all they can with limited funds. Without exception, these individuals are dedicated to their task and trying the best they can. But with little or no funding, they cannot possibly accomplish their task.

The resulting decreases in our recycling rates are placing a huge strain on the commonwealth.

Despite DEP’s goal of having our state balance our trash disposal habits – being neither an exporter nor importer of trash[iv], we are currently exporting roughly 20% of our trash to other states and countries – and this figure is growing annually. No cities or towns are stepping forwarding and asking that a sanitary landfill be located in their community. One by one, our landfills are closing – and the ones that are still open are near capacity. Every percentage point that we increase our recycling rate is that much closer that we get to holding off the day that our garbage problem becomes a garbage crisis.

In Massachusetts, we are lucky that the time of budgetary panic is now over. But the short-term strategy of the Romney Administration is now creating long-term problems.  Re-enacting the CEF is the first step in working to increase recycling rates, decreasing litter, and alleviating pressure on our sanitary landfills.

This proposed legislation would have a significant positive impact on Massachusetts’ ability to improve its recycling rate, decrease litter, and meet its goals under the State’s Solid Waste Master Plan.

Please note: Bill text is based on pre-filing information provided by State legislative personel. In some cases, bills as filed may differ slightly.