Advocacy

Two bills supported by SWANA have been introduced in Congress to improve municipal recycling programs nationwide. The Recycling Enhancements to Collection and Yield through Consumer Learning and Education (RECYCLE) Act would create a new federal grant program to help educate households and consumers about their residential and community recycling programs. The Realizing the Economic Opportunities and Values of Expanding Recycling (RECOVER) Act would similarly fund education and outreach programs, while also investing in recycling infrastructure.

The RECYCLE Act and the RECOVER Act were both introduced in the previous Congress but did not pass. The current versions are identical to the ones introduced in 2019 when the SWANA Core Advocacy Group approved association support for them.

RECYCLE Act (S. 923)

The RECYCLE Act authorizes $15 million a year over five years in grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, nonprofits, and public private partnerships to educate and inform consumers and households about their residential and community recycling programs. It was introduced on March 23 by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Representatives David Joyce (R-OH) and Dean Phillips (D-MN).

In addition to funding recycling education and outreach, the bill directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a model recycling program toolkit that can help municipalities and others improve recycling rates and decrease contamination in the recycling stream. The legislation would also require EPA to more frequently review and revise the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines that direct federal purchasing.

The bipartisan legislation is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Todd Young (R-IN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

RECOVER Act (H.R. 2357)

The RECOVER Act allocates $500 million over five years in matching federal grants to states, local municipalities, and tribal governments to invest in improving their recycling infrastructure, programs, and education efforts. It was introduced on April 5 by U.S. Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN).

The bill directs EPA to establish a Recycling Infrastructure Program that would award financial assistance on a competitive basis for projects that support and expand recycling infrastructure and recycling programs. This includes expanding or supporting recycling-related technology or infrastructure, investments in consumer education, expanding marketing opportunities for recyclable materials, and education and training for recycling operators, among other activities.

The RECOVER Act also requires the EPA to submit a report to Congress no later than two years after the date of enactment of this legislation on measures taken towards implementation.

SWANA is working to secure support for the RECYCLE Act and RECOVER Act from other organizations and members of Congress, while also following variety of other recycling-related legislation being introduced. This includes the CLEAN Future Act and the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, much broader pieces of legislation that also have implications for the solid waste industry.