Sponsors (6)
The bill directs a federal study that provides useful, transparent guidance to governments and businesses on reuse/refill systems—potentially unlocking environmental, economic, and equity benefits—while offering no funding and creating administrative work, leaving implementation costs and possible future regulatory burdens to localities, businesses, and taxpayers.
Local and state governments gain a federally produced analysis on designing reuse/refill programs, helping them plan implementation and reduce waste and disposal costs.
Small businesses receive a clear federal assessment of economic costs, benefits, and job-creation potential from reuse/refill systems, helping inform investment and hiring decisions.
Rural and low-income communities receive guidance aimed at promoting equitable distribution of reuse/refill systems, increasing the likelihood these communities benefit from waste reduction programs.
Small businesses and local governments are not provided funding by the report and therefore may have to bear upfront costs to adopt reuse/refill systems identified as beneficial.
Small businesses may face future compliance costs if the report's recommendations prompt later regulatory action, costs the report itself does not estimate.
Taxpayers—particularly at the state and local level—could face increased public investment obligations if equitable distribution findings identify needs requiring public funding.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires EPA to publish a public report within two years evaluating feasibility and best practices for reuse and refill systems across selected sectors.
Introduced February 4, 2026 by Joseph Neguse · Last progress February 4, 2026
Requires the EPA Administrator to produce a public report, due within two years of enactment, that evaluates the feasibility and best practices for reuse and refill systems across selected sectors (for example: food service, consumer food and beverage, cleaning and personal care products, shipping, and public schools). The report must assess system types and scales, equitable distribution, job creation, economic costs and benefits, governmental supports needed, and barriers to broad implementation, and must consult stakeholders and review state, local, and foreign examples. A separate short provision sets the statute's short title.