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.
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.