Sponsors
The bill provides regular, detailed aluminum disposal and export data that can strengthen domestic recycling, manufacturing, and supply-chain security, but it creates federal costs, business reporting burdens, and may slow urgent responses or disrupt markets if used to restrict exports.
Recyclers and domestic aluminum manufacturers will receive policy recommendations and analysis aimed at retaining scrap in U.S. supply chains, supporting domestic production and jobs.
Improved collection and sorting technology guidance will help local governments and businesses increase recycling efficiency, reduce landfill waste, and lower disposal costs.
State and local governments and manufacturers will get triennial, detailed national estimates of aluminum disposed in landfills, enabling better design and targeting of recycling programs.
Collecting and reporting detailed export and industry data will impose additional reporting burdens on businesses and raise confidentiality and compliance concerns for private firms.
If the study's findings are used to restrict exports to certain countries, existing international scrap markets could be disrupted and costs could rise for U.S. buyers and exporters.
A triennial reporting cadence may delay timely policy responses during rapidly changing markets or supply-chain crises, limiting the usefulness of the data for urgent decision-making.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires USGS (with EPA consultation) to report every 3 years on aluminum landfill disposals, exports (including to foreign entities of concern), tech gaps, and policy options to boost domestic recycling.
Requires the Department of the Interior (through the USGS Director) to conduct an ongoing study and submit reports every three years on how much aluminum is being sent to landfills, where it comes from, and where scrap aluminum is exported. Reports must be prepared with the EPA, estimate landfill disposals by end-use and source (including industrial and automotive), list exports by destination (including “foreign entities of concern”), analyze needed collection and sorting technologies, and recommend policies to keep aluminum scrap in the U.S. recycling supply chain while assessing effects on domestic manufacturing capacity.
Introduced March 18, 2026 by Robert J. Wittman · Last progress March 18, 2026