Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 This bill sets forth requirements related to waste and recycling collection systems for a variety of products and materials, including plastics. The bill makes certain producers of products (e.g., packaging, paper, single-use products, beverage containers, or food service products) fiscally responsible for collecting, managing, and recycling or composting the products after consumer use. In addition, the bill establishes (1) minimum percentages of products that must be reused, recycled, or composted; and (2) an increasing percentage of recycled content that must be contained in beverage containers. Beginning on January 1, 2022, the bill phases out a variety of single-use products, such as plastic utensils. The bill also sets forth provisions to encourage the reduction of single-use products, including by establishing programs to refund consumers for returning beverage containers and by establishing a tax on carryout bags. The bill creates a temporary moratorium on new or expanded permits for facilities that manufacture plastics until regulations are updated to address pollution from the facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency must publish guidelines for a national standardized labeling system for recycling and composting receptacles. Producers must include labels on their products that are easy to read and indicate whether the products are recyclable, compostable, or reusable. Finally, the bill establishes limitations on the export of plastic waste to other countries.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvanced technology and technological innovationsAdvisory bodiesAir qualityAlcoholic beveragesAlternative and renewable resourcesAquatic ecologyBusiness recordsChild healthCivil actions and liabilityClimate change and greenhouse gasesCongressional oversightConsumer affairsDrug, alcohol, tobacco useEcologyEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresFood industry and servicesFood supply, safety, and labelingGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIndian lands and resources rightsIndustrial facilitiesInflation and pricesIntergovernmental relationsInternational organizations and cooperationLicensing and registrationsManufacturingMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine pollutionMarketing and advertisingMaterialsNavigation, waterways, harborsOil and gasPerformance measurementPollution liabilityPublic-private cooperationRacial and ethnic relationsRetail and wholesale tradesSales and excise taxesSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsSolid waste and recyclingState and local government operationsState and local taxationTax-exempt organizationsTrade restrictionsUser charges and feesWater qualityWater use and supplyWorker safety and health
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
USA116th CongressHR-5845| House
| Updated: 2/12/2020
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 This bill sets forth requirements related to waste and recycling collection systems for a variety of products and materials, including plastics. The bill makes certain producers of products (e.g., packaging, paper, single-use products, beverage containers, or food service products) fiscally responsible for collecting, managing, and recycling or composting the products after consumer use. In addition, the bill establishes (1) minimum percentages of products that must be reused, recycled, or composted; and (2) an increasing percentage of recycled content that must be contained in beverage containers. Beginning on January 1, 2022, the bill phases out a variety of single-use products, such as plastic utensils. The bill also sets forth provisions to encourage the reduction of single-use products, including by establishing programs to refund consumers for returning beverage containers and by establishing a tax on carryout bags. The bill creates a temporary moratorium on new or expanded permits for facilities that manufacture plastics until regulations are updated to address pollution from the facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency must publish guidelines for a national standardized labeling system for recycling and composting receptacles. Producers must include labels on their products that are easy to read and indicate whether the products are recyclable, compostable, or reusable. Finally, the bill establishes limitations on the export of plastic waste to other countries.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvanced technology and technological innovationsAdvisory bodiesAir qualityAlcoholic beveragesAlternative and renewable resourcesAquatic ecologyBusiness recordsChild healthCivil actions and liabilityClimate change and greenhouse gasesCongressional oversightConsumer affairsDrug, alcohol, tobacco useEcologyEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresFood industry and servicesFood supply, safety, and labelingGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIndian lands and resources rightsIndustrial facilitiesInflation and pricesIntergovernmental relationsInternational organizations and cooperationLicensing and registrationsManufacturingMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine pollutionMarketing and advertisingMaterialsNavigation, waterways, harborsOil and gasPerformance measurementPollution liabilityPublic-private cooperationRacial and ethnic relationsRetail and wholesale tradesSales and excise taxesSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsSolid waste and recyclingState and local government operationsState and local taxationTax-exempt organizationsTrade restrictionsUser charges and feesWater qualityWater use and supplyWorker safety and health