Two Bipartisan Bills That Strengthen Recycling Advance in Congress

PRINTING United Alliance is keeping track of the advancement of two bipartisan bills working to strengthen recycling and composting efforts in the U.S. On April 7, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee favorably passed the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (S. 3742) and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (S. 3743). If these bills pass Congress and are signed into law, they would benefit the printing industry by helping to alleviate the need for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws that are being actively considered by state legislatures.

As passed by the Committee, the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act would improve data collection of our nation’s recycling systems as well as explore the potential of developing a national composting strategy. The legislation would require EPA to collect and publish data on recycling and composting rates across the country providing an accurate reflection of performance both nationwide and at the state level. Collection of this baseline data is critical to improving existing recycling, composting programs, and evaluating future recycling policies.

The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act would establish a pilot recycling program to be administered by the EPA. This pilot program, through the administration of grants, would seek to improve recycling accessibility in underserved areas. Through implementation of this program, the EPA seeks to determine if use of a hub-and-spoke model would increase recycling infrastructure development.

The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act, an investment in the circular economy, helps consumers recycle, return to use, or compost as acceptable end of life options.  Through this program implementation, which is beneficial for the printing industry, as it would offer an alternative to the adoption of EPR legislation to cover end-of-use costs.

EPR programs shift responsibility for recycling costs onto the producer, which are then passed onto the consumer, resulting in increased costs for print customers and discouraging printing business. Maine and Oregon have passed EPR laws, and a growing list of other states are considering them. These higher costs may cause customers to forego printed communications, reduce orders, and negotiate tighter margins. The proposed recycling infrastructure, however, would reduce the push for states to enact EPR legislation.

PRINTING United Alliance will continue to keep the industry updated by monitoring federal recycling and composting legislation, as well as emerging EPR legislation.

Stephanie Buka is the Government Affairs Coordinator at PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in the United States, comprised of the vast communities which it represents. The Alliance serves industry professionals across market segments with pertinent education, training, workshops, events, research, government and legislative representation, safety, and environmental sustainability guidance, as well as resources from the leading media company in the industry – NAPCO Media. Now a division of PRINTING United Alliance, Idealliance is the global leader in standards training and certification for printing and graphic arts operations across the entire industry supply chain.

In this article, Stephanie addresses federal recycling legislation. More information about recycling can be found at Business Excellence-Sustainability-Recycling Initiatives or reach out to Stephanie should you have additional questions specific to how these issues may affect your business: sbuka@printing.org.

To become a member of PRINTING United Alliance and learn more about how PRINTING United Alliance subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.