REUSE Act of 2026

Key Points

• Congress is considering a bill that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study how the U.S. can move toward more reusable and refillable products. This includes looking at things like beverage containers, food packaging, and cleaning supplies that can be cleaned and used again instead of thrown away or recycled.
• The EPA would have two years to create a public report on the best ways to set up these systems. The study would look at how businesses can safely collect, wash, and refill containers multiple times and what kind of equipment or buildings are needed to make that happen for regular shoppers.
• The report would also explore how switching to reusable containers could create new jobs and what it would cost businesses and local trash services. It aims to find out what help local and state governments might need to make these systems work in different types of towns and cities.
• To get the best information, the EPA would look at successful programs already running in other states and countries. They would also talk to business owners and experts to understand the biggest challenges to making refillable products a normal part of daily life.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.