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Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020

USA116th CongressS-3944| Senate 
| Updated: 6/11/2020
Tom Udall

Tom Udall

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Environment and Public Works 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. 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
Feb 12, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-5845
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Jun 11, 2020
Introduced in Senate
Jun 11, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  • February 12, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-5845
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.


  • June 11, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 11, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 116-3263: Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
  • HR 116-5845: Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
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 investigationsHazardous 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 tradesSocial 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 CongressS-3944| Senate 
| Updated: 6/11/2020
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. 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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 12, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-5845
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Jun 11, 2020
Introduced in Senate
Jun 11, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  • February 12, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-5845
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.


  • June 11, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 11, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Tom Udall

Tom Udall

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Environment and Public Works Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 116-3263: Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
  • HR 116-5845: Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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 investigationsHazardous 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 tradesSocial 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