Wieckowski, Muratsuchi named Recycling’s Legislators of the Year
Senator Bob Wieckowski and CAW Executive Director Mary Murray
Assemblymember Muratsuchi (middle), and CAW Director of Advocacy Nick Lapis with Executive Director Mark Murray
Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) were honored by the environmental non-profit organization, Californians Against Waste (CAW) this week for their leadership and support for recycling legislation.
Each year CAW recognizes members of the Legislature for their efforts and dedication to advance waste reduction and recycling legislation in California at its annual Birthday Bash reception.
Senator Bob Wieckowski was honored in recognition of his efforts to support recycling and waste reduction over the years, both as Chairman of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, as well as his authorship of Senate Bill 168. Under his leadership, California has led the nation in ‘connecting the dots’ between the impacts of food and organic waste disposal and climate change, and enacted dozens of policies aimed at supporting and funding California’s next generation waste reduction and recycling efforts.
“It is an honor to be recognized by Californians Against Waste for my work on waste reduction and for striving to create markets for recycled materials right here in California,” said Senator Bob Wieckowski. “I am authoring SB 168 because by requiring minimum content standards on all beverage containers, we will reduce pollution and create jobs, benefiting our environment and economy.”
“Senator Wieckowski is keeping California at the forefront of recycling through his authorship of SB 168 this year, which has the potential to be a game-changer by establishing mandatory recycled content in beverage containers”, said Mark Murray, Executive Director of Californians Against Waste. “California’s recycling sector has been hard hit by the loss of China’s recycling markets for empty plastic containers. Senator Wieckowski’s SB 168 will help address this emerging environmental crisis, while creating recycling manufacturing jobs in California.”
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi was honored for his efforts this year to support recycling and waste reduction as the Acting Chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. As Chairman he has succeeded in guiding and advancing several priority recycling policies—many of which had stalled in previous years. His advocacy, persistence, and leadership on these issues has been invaluable in moving the needle forward on reducing waste in California.
“I am honored to be recognized by Californians Against Waste this evening. The work that CAW does in supporting legislation on recycling and reducing waste is critical to preserving our environment”, said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. “As acting chair of Assembly Natural Resources, I truly appreciate working with CAW to fight to protect our environment.”
“In his time as a long-term member, and current Acting Chair, of the Natural Resources Committee, Assemblymember Muratsuchi has been a stalwart environmental champion, resisting the powerful industry groups that have sought to stifle California’s environmental progress,” said Nick Lapis, Director of Advocacy for Californians Against Waste. “In both advocating for positive environmental legislation and in stopping the bad proposals that have gone through the Natural Resources Committee, Assemblymember Muratsuchi has shown tremendous courage and dedication to representing the needs of his constituents.”
Founded in 1977, CAW is a non-profit environmental research and advocacy organization that identifies, develops, promotes and monitors policy solutions to pollution and conservation issues that pose threats to public health and the environment. CAW has pioneered and advocated for the implementation of many of the waste reduction and recycling policies and programs that have made California a leader in the nation.
Senator Wieckowski and Assemblymember Muratsuchi were recognized at CAW’s 41st Birthday Bash on Tuesday, August 14th, at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento.