Sponsors (4)
The bill funds an analysis to guide reuse/refill systems that could reduce waste and create local economic opportunities, but realizing those benefits will likely require further public investment and policy action and risks uneven outcomes and short-term costs.
State and local governments get a federal analysis and guidance to plan how to expand reuse/refill systems, aiding equitable rollout and waste-reduction planning.
Communities could see reduced single-use waste and related environmental harms if recommended best practices are implemented.
Small businesses in food, beverage, and personal-care sectors may gain new market opportunities by adopting reuse/refill models informed by the report.
The report is informational only and does not itself change regulations or require implementation, so intended benefits depend on future policy choices and funding.
Taxpayers and governments may face costs to design, build, or subsidize reuse/refill infrastructure if recommendations prompt public investment.
Businesses may incur transition costs to change packaging and logistics or to comply with recommended systems, potentially raising consumer prices in the short term.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs EPA to produce a public report within two years assessing feasibility, equity, economic impacts, supports, and barriers for reuse and refill systems across selected sectors.
Introduced February 4, 2026 by Joseph Neguse · Last progress February 4, 2026
Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to produce a public report within two years that evaluates the feasibility and best practices for reuse and refill systems across several sectors (examples: food service; consumer food, beverage, cleaning, and personal care products; transport/shipping; and schools). The report must define system types, consider equity and job impacts, assess economic costs and benefits for businesses and waste managers, identify needed local/state/federal supports and barriers, and be informed by state, local, foreign programs and stakeholder consultations. This is a research and planning requirement: it directs the EPA to study and publish findings that could guide future policy or investments but does not itself create new regulations or appropriate funds.