The Truth in Labeling Act of 2026 establishes federal standards for when producers can label packaging, food service products, and beverage containers as recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to define specific criteria for these terms based on nationwide infrastructure analysis and mandates a standardized on-package label system to reduce consumer confusion. Producers who use these labels without meeting the established requirements would be subject to enforcement actions by the Federal Trade Commission, with penalties directed toward recycling infrastructure and education programs. Additionally, the legislation creates an advisory committee to guide standard development and requires annual reports to Congress on implementation progress and consumer understanding.
The Truth in Labeling Act of 2026 establishes national standards for labeling packaging, food service products, and beverage containers as recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable to reduce consumer confusion. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to define these terms based on specific criteria, such as the existence of a responsible end market for recycling or acceptance by a certain percentage of composting programs. Producers are prohibited from using symbols like chasing arrows or making claims that a product is recyclable or compostable unless it meets these federal standards, with violations treated as deceptive practices under existing law. The legislation also mandates the creation of standardized on-package labels and digital labeling options, while establishing an advisory committee to guide the development of these criteria and enforcement mechanisms.
This resolution expresses support for designating July 2026 as "Plastic Pollution Action Month" to raise awareness about the environmental and health risks of plastic waste. It highlights statistics on plastic production, low recycling rates, and the impact of microplastics on marine life and human health to underscore the need for action. The bill encourages individuals across the United States to participate in activities that reduce plastic use and pollution throughout the year, rather than implementing new laws or regulations.
The Tracking Plastic Act of 2026 creates a Federal working group to develop recommendations for tracking recycled plastic content across various industries. This group will include representatives from federal agencies, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders, with the National Institute of Standards and Technology leading the effort. The working group is tasked with proposing standardized measurements for data collection, designing a federal tracking system to help align state requirements, and considering ways to improve trade data clarity and monitor toxic chemicals in recycled plastics. The group must submit annual reports to Congress and will operate for up to ten years until it completes its duties.
The Recycling Infrastructure and Data Accountability Act directs the Environmental Protection Agency to study the feasibility of creating a national database to track recycling facilities, material flows, and program performance. This study will identify regions with limited access to recycling services, catalog major waste and recycling facilities, and analyze economic barriers that hinder the development of new processing centers. If the EPA determines the project is viable, it must establish and maintain a publicly accessible online database within a year of submitting its final report to Congress. The bill aims to improve transparency and planning for recycling infrastructure without mandating specific construction projects or funding allocations.
This resolution designates July 2026 as "Plastic Pollution Action Month" to raise awareness about the environmental and health risks associated with plastic waste. The bill recognizes that plastic pollution harms marine life and human health, citing statistics on ocean contamination and the presence of microplastics in the human body. It encourages all individuals in the United States to participate in activities aimed at reducing plastic use and cleaning up litter during the designated month. The measure does not create new laws or regulations but serves to highlight the issue and promote voluntary action.
The BRACE Act updates federal regulations to improve how lithium-ion batteries are managed and recycled in the United States. It requires facilities that store these batteries before recycling them to follow stricter safety and record-keeping rules similar to those for large industrial waste handlers. Additionally, the bill modernizes existing laws by replacing outdated references with current environmental protection standards. These changes directly impact businesses and organizations involved in the collection, storage, and recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
The Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act expands funding and support for cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated properties known as brownfields. It increases the maximum grant amounts available for site remediation and adds new criteria to prioritize projects located on former military bases or in small communities. The legislation also mandates regular audits of how federal funds are used, requires states to maintain public inventories of brownfield sites, and directs the EPA to provide technical assistance to organizations that have previously been unsuccessful in securing grants. Additionally, the bill authorizes new studies to evaluate the effectiveness of existing loan programs and to explore the feasibility of creating a larger loan program for complex cleanup projects.
The Advancing Water Reuse Act creates a new federal tax credit to encourage investment in water recycling infrastructure. This 30 percent credit applies to businesses and utilities that install, replace, or modify onsite water recycling systems in industrial, manufacturing, data center, or food processing facilities. Eligible projects also include those that replace freshwater with recycled municipal water or build new municipal water recycling systems. To qualify, the construction of the project must begin within ten years of the bill's enactment, and the credit is calculated based on the cost of tangible property placed in service during the taxable year.
The Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 allows companies to use mass balance accounting to support claims about recycled content in their products, provided they follow independent third-party certification rules. This method lets manufacturers mix recycled materials with conventional ones in the same supply chain while still crediting the final product with a specific amount of recycled content based on documented inputs. The Federal Trade Commission will update its existing environmental marketing guidelines to reflect these new standards and will enforce the rules against misleading recycled content claims. Additionally, the law prevents states from passing their own conflicting regulations on how recycled content claims are made or enforced.
