Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021
- Last Action
- 6/30/2022
Actions
- 2022-06-30Subcommittee Hearings Held.
- 2021-03-29Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
- 2021-03-29Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2021-03-26Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-03-26Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-03-26Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-03-26Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-03-26Introduced in House
- 2021-03-26Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2021-03-26 (00)
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.
Cosponsors (20)
- Katherine Clark (D-MA)
- ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
- Nanette Barragan (D-CA)
- Salud Carbajal (D-CA)
- Gerald Connolly (D-VA)
- Mike Quigley (D-IL)
- Stephen Lynch (D-MA)
- Jimmy Gomez (D-CA)
- Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)
- Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
- Dwight Evans (D-PA)
- Daniel Kildee (D-MI)
- C. A. Ruppersberger (D-MD)
- BARBARA LEE (D-CA)
- Joseph Morelle (D-NY)
- Jared Huffman (D-CA)
- Mike Levin (D-CA)
- NYDIA VELAZQUEZ (D-NY)
- Mondaire Jones (D-NY)
- Derek Kilmer (D-WA)
Subjects
- Accounting and auditing
- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Advanced technology and technological innovations
- Advisory bodies
- Air quality
- Alcoholic beverages
- Alternative and renewable resources
- Aquatic ecology
- Business records
- Child health
- Civil actions and liability
- Climate change and greenhouse gases
- Congressional oversight
- Consumer affairs
- Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
- Ecology
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
- Environmental education
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.