What does Preamble of Recycling and Composting Accountability Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out certain activities to improve recycling and composting programs in the United States, and for other purposes,' aims to improve recycling and composting programs in the United States. The bill requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out certain activities.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Recycling and Composting Accountability Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Recycling and Composting Accountability Act do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “Administrator” is defined as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. “Compost” is defined as a product resulting from the controlled decomposition of biodegradable materials, reducing pathogens and stabilizing carbon for plant growth. “Compostable material” includes wood, agricultural crops, paper, certified compostable products, organic plant material, food waste, yard waste, and other renewable biomass. “Indian Tribe” has the meaning defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. “Recyclable material” refers to obsolete or previously used materials with a reuse market. “Recycling” encompasses the processing of recyclable materials into commodities used as raw materials in manufacturing. “State” has the meaning given in section 1004 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. “Processing” refers to methods that transform recyclable materials into specification-grade commodities, potentially involving multiple steps and locations.

What does REPORTS ON COMPOSTING AND RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE of Recycling and Composting Accountability Act do?

This section amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act by adding provisions related to reports on composting and recycling infrastructure capabilities. The Administrator is directed to request information and data from States, local governments, and Indian Tribes to prepare a report on compostable materials and recycling contamination rates. The report will evaluate federal, state, and local laws impacting composting, describe composting infrastructure, estimate expansion costs, and review manufacturers using compostable packaging. The Administrator must submit the report to Congress within two years of enactment. The Administrator is also required to prepare an inventory of materials recovery facilities (MRFs) every four years, detailing the types of materials each can process. The Administrator will estimate the number and types of recycling and composting programs, access rates, barriers to access, contamination rates, and program costs across the United States. The Administrator may collect data to develop estimated recycling rates and provide technical assistance to States, local governments, and Indian Tribes. The Administrator must update a report on end-market sales of recyclable materials and prepare a report on end-market sales of compost.

What does FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIVITIES RELATED TO RECYCLING. of Recycling and Composting Accountability Act do?

This section requires the Comptroller General of the United States to produce a public report every two years, starting within two years of the Act's enactment and continuing until 2033. The report must detail or estimate recycling and composting rates for all federal agencies. The report must also estimate the percentage of products containing recyclable, compostable, or recovered materials purchased by federal agencies. This includes quantities of procured products listed in the comprehensive procurement guidelines under section 6002(e) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. The report must identify activities of each federal agency that promote recycling or composting. Finally, the report must identify activities federal agencies could undertake to further promote recycling or composting.

What does STUDY ON THE DIVERSION OF RECYCLABLE MATERIALS FROM A CIRCULAR of Recycling and Composting Accountability Act do?

This section directs the Administrator to develop a metric for measuring the diversion of recyclable materials from a circular market in commercial and municipal waste streams. The Administrator is required to conduct a study and submit a report to Congress detailing the proportion of recyclable materials diverted from a circular market over the previous 10 calendar years. The report must include data on specific recyclable materials like aluminum, plastics, paper, textiles, and glass, and their ultimate use after being diverted. The report should evaluate the potential of recycling programs to improve recycling rates, reduce unutilized recyclable materials, and affect consumer prices for products using recycled materials.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of Recycling and Composting Accountability Act do?

This section authorizes appropriations to the Administrator. The authorized amount is $4,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2029. The appropriations are intended to carry out this Act and its amendments.

What does ADMINISTRATION. of Recycling and Composting Accountability Act do?

This section addresses the administration of the Act. The Administrator or Secretary of Commerce cannot exercise authority requiring unfunded mandates for States, local governments, or Indian Tribes. Information collected under this Act may be withheld from public disclosure if it meets the requirements of section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code.

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Recycling and Composting Accountability Act

Last updated: 5/14/2026 · Introduced: 6/24/2025

Author: Joe Neguse (D-CO)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to report on the state of composting and recycling infrastructure across the United States, including contamination rates and expansion costs.
The bill mandates biennial reports from the Comptroller General detailing recycling and composting rates within federal agencies and their procurement of recycled or compostable products.
The EPA is directed to develop a metric and conduct a study to measure the diversion of recyclable materials from circular markets, analyzing data on materials like aluminum, plastics, and paper.
The Act authorizes $4 million in annual appropriations from 2025 to 2029 to support the EPA's activities related to improving recycling and composting programs.
The bill prevents the EPA or Secretary of Commerce from imposing unfunded mandates on states, local governments, or Indian Tribes regarding recycling and composting.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 1768(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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