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Recycling is no longer high on the menu for the Republicans John Birdsall/Press Association Images via PA images
United States
Environmentalists see red as Republicans scrap green initiatives
Environmentally-friendly items – including biodegradable cutlery and recyclable cups – set to be changed by Republicans.
THE REPUBLICANS HAVE done much to raise the ire of environmentalists, and their latest move is certain to displease those with a green conscience.
A number of initiatives introduced by the Democrats have been reversed since the Republicans took charge of the US House of Representatives, reports The Guardian.
When the Democrats held the house, the cafeterias were at the centre of a plan to reduce the carbon footprint of Congress.
In 2008, a healthier menu was introduced, polystyrene packaging was replaced with items made of biodegradable corn starch, and recycling stations were installed.
But Dan Lungren, chair of the house administration committee, said of a $475,000 per year composting programme brought into the Congress Building’s coffee shop:
After a thorough review of the house’s composting operations, I have concluded that it is neither cost effective nor energy efficient to continue the programme.
To date, the Republicans have reintroduced plastic cups and even moved to repeal a government decision to replace lightbulbs with energy-efficient versions.
As expected, environmental organisations have condemned the return to plastic.
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