Merkley, Capito Push to Improve Recycling Nationwide with New Bipartisan Bill

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley partnered with West Virginia’s U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, to introduce the bipartisan Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies (REUSE) Act. El REUSE Act is a significant step forward in reducing waste and conserving resources across America by ensuring that reuse and refill systems are integral pillars of our circular economy.

“For years, we were taught the three Rs—reduce, reuse, and recycle; but too often the reality is plastics are the three Bs—buried, burned, and borne out to sea,” merkley dijo. “Our bipartisan effort is a simple tool to improve reuse systems nationwide by better understanding how they can most effectively operate. This information will help create a healthier planet and future.”

“Refillable and reusable systems play a key role in reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable economy. This legislation will give Congress the information it needs to understand where these systems work best, what challenges remain, and how we can support their growth in a way that benefits both consumers and businesses,” said Capito.

According to a leading organization on the circular economy, replacing 20 percent of global single-use plastic packaging with reusable packaging could result in a business opportunity of more than $10 billion. The bipartisan REUSE Act directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a feasibility study on reuse and refill systems in different sectors, such as consumer packaging, personal care products, and wholesale shipping of retail goods.

This legislation will also direct the EPA to provide information on the types of support at the local, state, and federal levels that could enhance reuse and refill systems. This critical data could help inform stakeholders about how to harness the environmental benefits and economic potential of reuse and refill systems.

Texto completo de la REUSE Act can be found by clicking aquí.

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