SJ87: Multifamily residential dwellings; VHC to study mandatory recycling programs.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 87

Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled January 13, 2016
Directing the Virginia Housing Commission to study mandatory recycling programs for multifamily residential dwellings. Report.
Patron-- Ebbin

Referred to Committee on Rules

WHEREAS, recycling involves a series of activities by which materials ready to be discarded are instead separated from the waste stream, collected, sorted, processed, and converted into new materials and then used in the production of new products; and

WHEREAS, collecting and processing secondary materials, manufacturing recycled-content products, and then purchasing recycled products creates a circle or loop that not only ensures the overall success and value of recycling, but also leads to more effective management of natural resources; and

WHEREAS, each locality in Virginia is required to create or participate in a recycling program; and

WHEREAS, residents of multifamily residential dwellings can generate a large amount of a community’s residential waste; and

WHEREAS, while higher recycling rates are found in the more densely populated areas of the state, recycling for residents of multifamily residential dwellings, including apartment complexes and condominiums poses a challenge for those communities; and

WHEREAS, communities can substantially increase recycling rates by requiring that building management provide recycling opportunities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Virginia Housing Commission be directed to study the feasibility of requiring (i) the owner of every multifamily residential dwelling and (ii) the executive organ or common interest community manager for every condominium to develop and implement a plan for recycling solid waste generated by the multifamily residential dwelling or condominium.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the Virginia Housing Commission. Technical assistance shall be provided to the Virginia Housing Commission by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Virginia Housing Commission for this study, upon request.

The Virginia Housing Commission shall complete its meetings by December 30, 2016, and the Director shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Virginia Housing Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.