Senators Introduce Tracking Plastic Act to Verify Recycled Content Claims

Sen. Adam Schiff, D-CA, has introduced the Tracking Plastic Act, legislation designed to combat recycled plastic content fraud and give consumers accurate environmental information about the products they buy. The bill would create a federal working group to standardize how recycled plastic content is tracked and verified, addressing concerns about misleading labels and unsubstantiated environmental claims by manufacturers.

Why the bill was introduced

The Tracking Plastic Act would establish a federal working group to develop standardized methods for tracking and verifying recycled plastic content in consumer products. The measure addresses widespread concerns about misleading labels and unsubstantiated environmental claims by manufacturers.

'Implementing a reliable process of tracking recycled materials will provide Americans with accurate information on plastics used in the products they're buying,' Schiff said. 'Consumers deserve the truth when making choices among competing products. Our legislation will crack down on companies that mislead the public on their reporting of recycled plastic content.'

The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-OR, Ron Wyden, D-OR, and Cory Booker, D-NJ, reflecting bipartisan concern over plastic recycling transparency and corporate accountability.

Building consumer trust through transparency

'Consumers deserve clear, accurate labeling to help them make informed choices about their purchases,' Merkley said. 'Commonsense legislation like this one empowers consumers to understand just how much plastic they're buying, while ensuring manufacturers are accountable for the recycled content claims they make.'

Booker emphasized the importance of label integrity, noting that Americans should be able to trust product information when shopping. 'This legislation will give consumers the honest information they need, strengthen our recycling systems, and ensure companies are accountable for helping address the plastic pollution crisis,' he said.

What the working group would do

The Tracking Plastic Act would establish a federal working group comprising representatives from multiple agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Trade Commission, Department of Agriculture, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of State, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and National Laboratory of the Rockies, along with institutions of higher education and the National Academy of Sciences.

The group's primary responsibilities include developing recommendations to improve measurement, traceability, and reporting of recycled plastic content across applicable economic sectors, and increasing the use of post-consumer resin.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology would lead technical development efforts, examining existing international standards such as Australia's National Framework for Recycled Content Traceability. The group would also work to harmonize state-level recycled plastic content requirements through a federal tracking system.

Marine debris and trade data

The legislation directs the working group to improve trade data clarity by reevaluating plastic trade codes for recycled content, and to explore methods to enhance traceability of plastic marine debris — a growing environmental concern affecting oceans worldwide.

The act requires the working group to submit annual reports to Congress detailing activities, progress on developing traceability recommendations, and findings. Initial members must be designated within 90 days of enactment.

What happens next

The Tracking Plastic Act has garnered endorsements from major environmental and industry organizations, including the Association of Plastic Recyclers, Recycling Partnership, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Conservancy, and Monterey Bay Aquarium, reflecting broad consensus on the need for transparent, accurate recycled content verification.

This coalition of supporters demonstrates alignment between environmental advocates and industry stakeholders on establishing credible systems for tracking recycled plastic content, empowering consumer decision-making, and ensuring corporate accountability in addressing the plastic pollution crisis.

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Courtesy: www.plasticstoday.com