Market incentives for recycling: the tax credit and product charge compared
The need for a reliable waste policy is clearly seen and has not yet been formulated. The Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 was the initial Federal response to the solid-waste problem. The Act recognized the necessity of stimulating additional materials recycling and established a framework for both financial and technical assistance to local and state agencies for development of resource recovery and solid-waste disposal programs. This article explores recent congressional proposals in two closely related areas: materials recycling and waste reduction efforts. As used in this article, ''recycling'' means ''the recovery of specific reprocessed secondary materials.'' For example, the reuse of a returnable beverage container does not constitute recycling unless that container has been broken down and remade. Waste reduction, on the other hand, refers to ''prevention of waste at its source,'' and is generally accomplished through extended product lives or less-materials-intensive product designs. Reuse of a returnable bottle would, therefore, constitute waste reduction. The first section of this article reviews the seriousness of the solid waste problem. Following is a brief discussion of Federal action to date, and a comparison of two recent recycling proposals: the Senate Finance Committee's tax credit for recycling, and the House Commerce Committee's national product charge. (MCW)
- OSTI ID:
- 7299046
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Aff.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Aff.; (United States) Vol. 5:4; ISSN EVAFB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
S. 1318: This Act may be cited as the National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act, introduced in the United States Senate, One Hundred Second Congress, First Session, June 18, 1991
Municipal solid waste. Reprinted from the tenth annual report of the council on environmental quality
Related Subjects
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FINANCING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LEGISLATION
MANAGEMENT
MARKET
MATERIALS
RECYCLING
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SOLID WASTES
TAXES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES