With Republicans Running The House, Styrofoam Cups Are Back

So much for any green initiative with Republicans in charge of the House.

A little over a month after taking control of the House, Republicans have changed a pivotal element of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s “Green the Capitol” initiative. Since 2007, non-recyclable, Styrofoam cups were replaced with environmentally friendly biodegradable cups.

The reappearance of Styrofoam cups is one move towards phasing out Pelosi’s program, which brought climate-friendly vending machines and compact fluorescent light bulbs to the Capitol. The plan successfully reduced energy consumption by 23 percent and water consumption by 32 percent throughout Capitol buildings, according to an April 2010 report.

Republicans claimed this was costing too much money. Pelosi Tweeted:

“#SoBelt GOP brings back Styrofoam & ends composting-House will send 535 more tons to landfills #TalkAboutGovtWaste.”

Democratic Congressman Steve Israel issued this statement:

“Evidently the Republican economic strategy for jobs is one word: ‘Styrofoam.’ In two months they haven’t created a single job, but they have boldly brought Styrofoam cups back to the congressional cafeterias. At least the 700,000 Americans whose jobs the Republican budget eliminates can sleep better at night knowing that the Republicans have made the world safe for Styrofoam.”

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.