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Four Packaging-Related Bills Making Their Way Through Congress

Recent bills introduced at the federal level related to packaging end-of-life management could signal a national approach to future packaging legislation.

Dan Felton, Executive Director, AMERIPEN
Dan Felton, Executive Director, AMERIPEN

As the country begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, federal lawmakers have revived or introduced four bills related to packaging end-of-life management in recent weeks. The Realizing the Economic Opportunities and Value of Expanding Recycling Act, the Recycling Enhancements to Collection and Yield through Consumer Learning and Education Act, and the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act have been reintroduced to the 117th Congress with no substantive changes.

On March 2, lawmakers introduced to the House of Representatives the new Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act. This comprehensive climate action bill includes language impacting packaging by adopting many provisions from the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act, including a pause on building new plastics facilities, restrictions on chemical recycling, and the establishment of a national bottle bill. The legislation establishes post-consumer recycled content standards for beverage containers and other packaging, as well as standardized labeling on covered packaging to clarify their recyclability. It also calls for a task force to create a national extended producer responsibility (EPR) system for packaging and containers. The bill could give the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency further jurisdiction over packaging requirements and restrictions.


Read article   Read an update on extended producer responsibility legislation.


In addition to these particular bills, AMERIPEN anticipates the introduction or reintroduction of other packaging-centric legislation, including the Plastic Waste Reduction and Recycling Act and Save Our Seas (SOS) Act 3.0. throughout this year. We also are aware of advocacy efforts to include recycling issues in any federal infrastructure legislation that may advance, plus industry efforts to recognize the efficacy of chemical recycling.

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