A joint resolution designating April 1990 as "National Recycling Month".
PL 101-264 (S.J.Res.250), enacted 04/04/1990

104 STAT. 126 
PUBLIC LAW 101-264—APR. 4, 1990 
Public Law 101-264 
101st Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Apr. 4, 1990 
[S.J. Res. 250] 
Designating April 1990 as "National Recycling Month". 
Whereas the continued generation of enormous volumes of solid 
waste each year presents unacceptable threats to human health 
and the environment; 
Whereas several regions of the United States are experiencing a 
severe shortage of disposal capacity for municipal solid waste; 
Whereas as a result of the inability to find sites for new solid waste 
management facilities, many communities are managing waste in 
facilities that were not designed with the best available environ-
mental controls; 
Whereas the generation of hazardous waste and solid waste must be 
reduced and as much remaining waste as possible must be re-
cycled to protect human health and the environment and to 
minimize treatment and disposal capacity problems; 
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 local governments should be an integral component of the 
decisionmaking process regarding the management of municipal 
solid waste; 
Whereas developing a system of waste management that, to the 
greatest extent practicable, separates elements of the waste 
stream that require special management or that are in demand 
for reuse or recycling will enhance the economic feasibility and 
environmental safety of all management methods, including 
recycling, incineration, and land disposal; 
Whereas source reduction and recycling represent the most environ-
mentally sound means of managing municipal solid waste and can 
often be carried out with a lower cost than is incurred by other 
means; 
Whereas recycling preserves limited landfill capacity and reduces 
the amount of solid waste intended for incineration; 
Whereas recycling can save energy and avoid the pollution created 
from extracting resources from their natural environment; 
Whereas the revenues recovered by recycling programs offset the 
costs of solid waste management; 
Whereas a well-developed system of recycling scrap metals, paper, 
and glass already exists and is significantly reducing the quantity 
of solid waste entering landfills or incinerators; 
Whereas the technology for recycling plastic is currently under 
development, and progress continues toward increasing potential 
markets; 
Whereas many consumer products are designed without sufficient 
regard for safe and efficient recycling after disposal; 
Whereas Federal, State, and local governments should promote the 
design of products that can be recycled safely and efficiently; 
PUBLIC LAW 101-264—APR. 4, 1990 
104 STAT. 127 
Whereas Federal, State, and local governments should enact legisla-
tive measures that will increase the amount of solid waste that is 
recycled; 
Whereas Federal, State, and local governments should encourage 
the growth of incremental markets for materials recovered from 
recyclable goods; 
Whereas Federal, State, and local governments should establish 
incentives for household separation of waste to encourage 
recycling; 
Whereas the success of source reduction and recycling programs 
depends on the participation of an informed public; and 
Whereas the people of the United States should be encouraged to 
participate in educational and legislative endeavors that promote 
waste separation methods, community-based recycling programs, 
and expanded utilization of recovered materials: Now, therefore, 
belt 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That April 1990 is des-
ignated as "National Recycling Month", and the President of the 
United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation 
calling upon the people of the United States to observe the month 
with appropriate ceremonies and activities. 
Approved April 4, 1990. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 250: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 136 (1990): 
Feb. 26, considered and passed Senate. 
Mar. 28, considered and passed House. 
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