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Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

USA119th CongressS-1926| Senate 
| Updated: 12/9/2025
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (11)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Peter Welch (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, National Parks Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill establishes a program within the National Park System to significantly reduce and, where feasible, eliminate disposable plastic products. The Director of the National Park Service must create this program within 180 days, with regional directors implementing it across park units. A core provision requires regional directors to eliminate the sale of water in disposable plastic products and the sale and distribution of other disposable plastic products to the greatest extent feasible. This decision must consider various factors, including operational costs, waste reduction, infrastructure for bottle refill stations, contractual implications, and visitor safety. The bill also mandates a proactive visitor education strategy to inform visitors and encourage the use of reusable containers. The legislation ensures program consistency within each park unit and requires biennial evaluations assessing public response, visitor satisfaction, public safety, and disposable plastic bottle collection rates. These findings are submitted to the Director and Secretary of the Interior, and "disposable plastic products" are broadly defined to include plastic beverage bottles, carryout bags, plastic food ware, and expanded polystyrene products.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2728
Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2960
Reducing Waste in National Parks Act
May 23, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-3604
Introduced in House
Jun 2, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 2, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Dec 9, 2025
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2728
    Reducing Waste in National Parks Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2960
    Reducing Waste in National Parks Act


  • May 23, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-3604
    Introduced in House


  • June 2, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 2, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • December 9, 2025
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3604: Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

USA119th CongressS-1926| Senate 
| Updated: 12/9/2025
This bill establishes a program within the National Park System to significantly reduce and, where feasible, eliminate disposable plastic products. The Director of the National Park Service must create this program within 180 days, with regional directors implementing it across park units. A core provision requires regional directors to eliminate the sale of water in disposable plastic products and the sale and distribution of other disposable plastic products to the greatest extent feasible. This decision must consider various factors, including operational costs, waste reduction, infrastructure for bottle refill stations, contractual implications, and visitor safety. The bill also mandates a proactive visitor education strategy to inform visitors and encourage the use of reusable containers. The legislation ensures program consistency within each park unit and requires biennial evaluations assessing public response, visitor satisfaction, public safety, and disposable plastic bottle collection rates. These findings are submitted to the Director and Secretary of the Interior, and "disposable plastic products" are broadly defined to include plastic beverage bottles, carryout bags, plastic food ware, and expanded polystyrene products.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2728
Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2960
Reducing Waste in National Parks Act
May 23, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-3604
Introduced in House
Jun 2, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 2, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Dec 9, 2025
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2728
    Reducing Waste in National Parks Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2960
    Reducing Waste in National Parks Act


  • May 23, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-3604
    Introduced in House


  • June 2, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 2, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • December 9, 2025
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (11)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Peter Welch (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, National Parks Subcommittee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3604: Reducing Waste in National Parks Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted