A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ALL EFFORTS TO REDUCE WASTE GENERATION AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WASTE DIVERSION THROUGH RECYCLING INITIATIVES IN ORDER TO ADDRESS DECREASING DISPOSAL CAPACITY.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce reports that in 2024 South Carolina's population grew by nearly 2% to approximately 5.5 million people, representing the fifth-fastest-growing State in the nation; and

 

Whereas, as the population continues to grow, so, too, does the amount of waste needing disposal in one of the state's seventeen remaining Class III Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills; and

 

Whereas, more than 13.3 million tons of waste was disposed of in these facilities in 2024; and

 

Whereas, the finite amount of disposal capacity that remains is being consumed at such a rate that without expansion or replacement of this disposal capacity, four of the seventeen remaining landfills could be closed within the next fifteen years, placing additional strain on the remaining facilities; and

 

Whereas, because waste generation rates have continued to grow and finite disposal capacity has continued to erode, South Carolina has reached a critical juncture that makes managing waste generation more crucial than ever; and

 

Whereas, South Carolina has stated goals of reducing waste generation to less than 3.25 pounds per person per day and a recycling goal of 50% of the MSW generated in the State by 2030; and

 

Whereas, in line with these goals, opportunities to participate in recycling and waste diversion programs should be sought out and supported on every suitable occasion as the primary means to reduce waste disposal rates and to reach South Carolina's stated goals by 2030. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, support and encourage all efforts to reduce waste generation and increase opportunities for waste diversion through recycling initiatives in order to address decreasing disposal capacity.

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