Tracking Plastic Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill creates a new federal team to study how the government can better track recycled plastic. The group will include experts from the EPA, the Department of Commerce, and major universities. They will look for ways to prove that products labeled as recycled actually contain the materials they claim.
• The goal is to create a single national system for measuring recycled plastic. Right now, different states have different rules, which can be confusing for companies. By setting one standard, the bill aims to help the U.S. keep up with international trading partners that already have these systems.
• The team will also look for ways to keep toxic chemicals out of recycled plastic. They want to make sure that when plastic is reused in things like food packaging or car parts, it is safe for people to use. They will also try to find better ways to track plastic trash that ends up in the ocean.
• If this bill passes, the group must be formed within 90 days. They will work for up to 10 years and release a public report every year. This will help lawmakers decide if they need to pass stricter laws about plastic waste and recycling in the future.

Impact Analysis

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