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A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE SET AN EXAMPLE IN

RECYCLING FOR THE STATE BY EXPANDING RECYCLING IN THE STATE

CAPITOL AND SUPPORTING STATE AND LOCAL RECYCLING PROGRAMS.

WHEREAS, the legislature passed the Solid Waste Act in

1990 that requires state government to recycle; and

WHEREAS, the Solid Waste Act requires government

agencies and the legislature to send recycling plans to the

solid waste bureau of the department of environment; and

WHEREAS, state capitol employees and legislators have

been recycling paper, cardboard boxes and computers and they

are starting to recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles;

and

WHEREAS, by increasing its recycling, the legislature

can set an example for all New Mexicans; and

WHEREAS, there should be additional recycling bins

located in convenient locations in the state capitol and

other government buildings so that recycling can be easy for

everyone; and

WHEREAS, many people, including wild friends students,

have big dreams about creating jobs that help the

environment, and recycling industries create new jobs; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico needs more recycling plants so that

communities can have recycling programs; and

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WHEREAS, producing an aluminum can from recycled

material saves up to ninety-five percent of the energy needed

to produce a can from raw material, thereby reducing the

production of greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, the United States uses more than ninety million

tons of paper and paperboard a year and five hundred thousand

trees are cut down to make Sunday newspapers; and

WHEREAS, recycling paper and cardboard saves trees for

wildlife habitat; and

WHEREAS, the average New Mexican generates five pounds

of trash per day; and

WHEREAS, recycling saves landfill space and reduces

methane gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, plastics and metal trash can cause suffocation,

block digestive tracts or cut the mouths of wild creatures

who attempt to ingest them; and

WHEREAS, plastic trash can harm wildlife by trapping

small animals, entangling the feet of large animals and

wrapping around the beaks and necks of birds; and

WHEREAS, recycling makes a cleaner world for people,

future generations and wildlife; and

WHEREAS, last year, the United States recycling rate was

thirty-two percent, but New Mexicans recycled only ten

percent of recyclable materials, which does not send a good

message about New Mexico to other people; and

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WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes the wild friends

students for working to create model recycling programs at

their own schools and for educating others about the

importance of recycling; and

WHEREAS, the legislature supports recycling in schools

and encourages school districts to develop recycling programs

in all schools, including placement of recycling bins and

pick-up services on school campuses; and

WHEREAS, the legislature encourages communities to set

up recycling programs, including curbside recycling; and

WHEREAS, the governor has declared New Mexico to be a

"green state"; and

WHEREAS, all New Mexicans should be able to recycle

easily;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recycling by the legislature's

members and employees, state and local governments, schools,

communities and the public and the development of recycling

plants and jobs in New Mexico be supported; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature increase

funding to the legislative building services budget to

purchase additional recycling bins for paper, aluminum, glass

and plastic for the use of the public, employees and

legislators; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that additional recycling

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services for the state capitol be in place no later than

January 2009; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature request all

state agencies to send state agency waste reduction and

recycling plan worksheets to the solid waste bureau of the

department of environment by January 2009; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature request the

public education department to work with schools to improve

recycling programs in schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the legislative council service, the house and

senate chief clerks, the office of the governor, the general

services department, the public education department and the

department of environment.