A joint resolution to designate April 15, 1992, as "National Recycling Day".
PL 102-269 (S.J.Res.246), enacted 04/15/1992

106 STAT. 104 
PUBLIC LAW 102-269—APR. 15, 1992 
Public Law 102-269 
102d Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Apr. 15,1992 
[S.J. Res. 246] 
To designate April 15, 1992 as "National Recycling Da}^". 
Whereas the United States generates over 180 million tons of 
municipal solid waste each year—almost double the amount pro-
duced in 1965, and amounting to about 4 pounds per person 
per day—and the amount is expected to increase to 216 million 
tons of garbage annually by the year 2000; 
Whereas the continued generation of enormous volumes of solid 
waste each year presents unacceptable threats to human health 
and the environment; 
Whereas the Environmental Protection Agency expects that 27 
States will run out of landfill capacity for municipal solid waste 
within 5 years and that a large percentage of currently operating 
landfills will close by the year 2000 either because they are 
filled or because their design and operation do not meet Federal 
or State standards for protection of human health and the 
environment, requiring that waste now disposed of in these facili-
ties will have to be disposed through other means; 
Whereas a significant amount of waste can be diverted from disposal 
by the utilization of source separation, mechanical separation 
and community-based recycling programs; 
Whereas recycling can save energy, reduce our dependence on for-
eign oil, has substantial materials conservation benefits and can 
prevent the pollution created from extracting resources from their 
natural environment; 
Whereas the revenues recovered by recycling programs offset the 
costs of solid waste management and some communities have 
established recycling programs which provide significant economic 
benefits to members of the community; 
Whereas the current level of municipal solid waste recycling in 
the United States is low, although some communities have set 
a much higher rate; 
Whereas to reach a goal of increased recycling, more materials 
need to be separated, collected, processed, marketed and manufac-
tured into new products; 
Whereas a well-developed system exists for recycling scrap metals, 
aluminum cans, glass and metal containers, paper and paper-
board, and is reducing the quantity of waste entering landfills 
or incinerators and saving manufacturers energy costs; 
Whereas recycling of plastics is in the early stages of development 
and considerable market potential exists to increase the recycling; 
Whereas yard and food waste is an important part of municipal 
solid waste and a large potential exists for mulching and 
composting the waste which would save both landfill space and 
nourish soil, but only small amounts of this material is currently 
being recycled; 
Whereas Federal, State and local governments should enact legisla-
tive measures that will increase the amount of solid waste that 
is recycled; 
PUBLIC LAW 102-269—APR. 15, 1992 
106 STAT. 105 
Whereas Federal, State and local governments should encourage 
the development of markets for recyclable goods; 
Whereas Federal, State and local governments should promote the 
design of products that can be recycled safely and efficiently; 
Whereas the success of recycling programs depends on the abiUty 
of informed consumers and businesses to msdce decisions regard-
ing recycling and recycled products and to participate in recycling 
programs; and 
Whereas the people of the United States should be encouraged 
to participate in educational, organizational and legislative 
endeavors that promote waste separation methods, community-
based recycling programs and expanded utilization of recovered 
materials: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That April 15, 1992, 
is designated as "National Recycling Day". The President of the 
United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation 
calling on the people of the United States to observe the day 
with appropriate ceremonies and activities. 
Approved April 15,1992. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 246: 
C»NGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 138 (1992): 
Feb. 27, considered and passed Senate. 
Apr. 8, considered and passed House.