Michael Lawler (R-NY)
Recycling Infrastructure and Data Accountability Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Recycling Infrastructure and Data Accountability Act," directs the EPA Administrator to study the feasibility of a national database for tracking recycling. The proposed database would track items like recyclable materials, infrastructure capacity, and landfill diversion. The study must identify regions with limited recycling access and catalog specific waste and recycling facilities. It also requires analyzing economic and permitting barriers for facility development. Finally, the Administrator must submit a report to Congress and, if feasible, establish and maintain the online database.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Increased tracking of recycling and landfill diversion helps manage waste more effectively and environmentally.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The establishment of a publicly online database increases transparency regarding recycling infrastructure and outcomes.
- Scored +2
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Improved recycling infrastructure can help reduce waste and lower the environmental footprint of material lifecycles.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Access to Recycling Services: The study aims to identify geographic areas where additional recycling or material recovery facilities are needed to improve collection access and reduce transportation distances (Section 2(a)(2)(E)).
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Identification of Infrastructure Needs: The Administrator is tasked with identifying regions that currently have limited access to recycling infrastructure or rely heavily on landfill disposal (Section 2(a)(2)(A)).
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Transparency of Facility Capabilities: The study involves cataloging the location, type, ownership, capacity, and materials accepted by waste and recycling facilities with a specific annual throughput (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Addressing Barriers to Growth: The bill requires an analysis of the economic barriers and permitting challenges that impact the development, expansion, and operation of recycling facilities (Section 2(a)(2)(D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Increased tracking of recycling and landfill diversion helps manage waste more effectively and environmentally. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Improved recycling infrastructure can help reduce waste and lower the environmental footprint of material lifecycles. Does this invest in rural communities? — The study identifies regions with limited recycling access, which could lead to infrastructure improvements in rural or underserved areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The establishment of a publicly online database increases transparency regarding recycling infrastructure and outcomes. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the EPA's role in establishing a national database for tracking recycling data.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Identifying barriers to facility development could help businesses in the recycling sector expand more easily. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The study targets regions with limited access, which may include many rural communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The study may identify economic barriers to facility development, potentially aiding long-term economic growth through better infrastructure.
- 7/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey