Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-Vt., is reviving his effort to boost recycling rates by extending federal tax credits for companies to purchase recycling equipment.

The Recycling Investment Saves Energy Act of 2006, which Jeffords unveiled July 13, would allow recycling facilities to be eligible for tax-exempt bond financing. It is similar to a bill the senator introduced last year, but which never became law.

The high costs of purchasing and installing equipment to collect, distribute or recycle material serves as a financial barrier to companies that otherwise would be interested in diverting more of their waste streams, Jeffords said. His bill proposes a 15 percent tax credit or a 50 percent depreciation deduction for the purchase of machinery used in recycling.

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