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Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-984| Senate 
| Updated: 3/25/2021
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (14)
Jon Ossoff (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 This bill sets forth requirements and incentives to reduce the production of a variety of products and materials, including plastics, and increase efforts to collect, recycle, or compost products and materials. 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, 2023, 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 certain facilities that manufacture plastics until regulations are updated to address pollution from the facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 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. The EPA must also ensure that certain clothes washers have filtration units as required by this bill. Finally, the bill establishes limitations on the export of plastic waste to other countries.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3944
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3263
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
Mar 25, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 25, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jun 30, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2238
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3944
    Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3263
    Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020


  • March 25, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 25, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • June 30, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2238
    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7861: Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act
  • S 117-1507: A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate certain limitations with respect to pre-production plastic pellet pollution, and for other purposes.
  • HR 117-2238: Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021
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 educationEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresEnvironmental technologyFood 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 2021

USA117th CongressS-984| Senate 
| Updated: 3/25/2021
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 This bill sets forth requirements and incentives to reduce the production of a variety of products and materials, including plastics, and increase efforts to collect, recycle, or compost products and materials. 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, 2023, 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 certain facilities that manufacture plastics until regulations are updated to address pollution from the facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 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. The EPA must also ensure that certain clothes washers have filtration units as required by this bill. 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

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3944
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3263
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
Mar 25, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 25, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jun 30, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2238
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3944
    Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3263
    Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020


  • March 25, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 25, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • June 30, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2238
    Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (14)
Jon Ossoff (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7861: Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act
  • S 117-1507: A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate certain limitations with respect to pre-production plastic pellet pollution, and for other purposes.
  • HR 117-2238: Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021
  • 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 educationEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresEnvironmental technologyFood 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