,i #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bhba ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,april #bb1 #bjba ,ms4 ,stevens 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,gonzalez of ,ohio1 ,ms4 ,johnson of ,texas1 and ,mr4 ,lucas7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology ,a ,,bill ,to provide for a coordinated ,federal program to accelerate plastics waste reduction and support recycling research and development for the economic and national security of the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,plastic ,waste ,reduction and ,recycling ,research ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,it is estimated that global production of plastic has increased from #b1jjj1jjj tons of plastic per year in #aiej to #djj1jjj1jjj tons per year today1 and of the #h4c billion metric tons of plastic ever produced globally1 #f4c billion metric tons has become plastic waste4 7#b7 ,the ,united ,states has failed to invest in the development of domestic recycling markets1 technology and materials to make the recycling process more available and efficient1 and as a result1 the ,united ,states recycles only #i percent of its plastic waste4 7#c7 ,for more than #b decades1 the ,united ,states and other developed nations sold and exported #ajf1jjj1jjj metric tons of recyclable plastics to ,china1 but in #bjah ,china issued a ban on contaminated ,united ,states plastics4 7#d7 ,following the #bjah ,china ban1 more and more ,united ,states communities are sending recyclable items to landfills or incinerators4 7#e7 ,as recycling programs have moved toward single-stream curbside recycling1 more recyclable items are mixed with non-recyclable items1 resulting in fewer potentially recyclable items actually being recycled and turned into new1 valuable products4 7#f7 ,the resin identification coding system in use today has not been substantially updated since its creation in #aihh4 7#g7 ,characterizing the type and recyclability of different types of plastics in use today requires updated standards4 7#h7 ,separating and processing the many different types of plastics as well as the heterogenous materials containing multiple layers of different plastic types commonly in use today will require new sorting and recycling technologies4 7#i7 ,there are currently limited private or public investments in research and development to improve plastic waste reduction1 recycling technologies1 or other technologies and processes to reduce the amount and impact of plastic waste4 7#aj7 ,the ,federal ,government can play an important role in supporting research and development and facilitating standards1 tools1 and technologies needed across the different stages of the plastics production and recycling ecosystem4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,committee ,the term ,committee means the ,interagency ,committee established or designated under section #e4 7#b7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy4 7#c7 ,participating agencies ,the term participating agencies means the agencies under section #e7;c74 7#d7 ,program ,the term ,program means the ,plastic ,waste ,reduction and ,recycling ,research ,program established under section #d4 7#e7 ,marine debris ,the term marine debris has the meaning provided in the ,marine ,debris ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #aief74 #d4 ,plastic ,waste ,reduction and ,recycling ,research ,program 7a7 ,establishment2 purposes ,the ,director1 acting through the ,committee and each of the participating agencies1 shall establish and implement a program to be known as the ,plastic ,waste ,reduction and ,recycling ,research ,program4 ,the purposes of the ,program shall be to-- 7#a7 improve the global competitiveness of the ,united ,states plastics recycling industry2 7#b7 ensure ,united ,states leadership in plastic waste reduction1 reuse1 and recycling research and innovation2 7#c7 support ,united ,states leadership in the development of national and international standards for sustainable plastics design and plastic recycling infrastructure1 technologies and processes2 and 7#d7 mitigate any harmful effects of plastic waste and plastic waste recycling on the environment4 7b7 ,program activities ,in carrying out the ,program1 the ,director1 acting through the ,committee and each of the participating agencies1 shall carry out activities that include the following3 7#a7 ,supporting research1 development1 and demonstration of plastics technologies optimized for recyclability1 plastics recycling technologies1 plastic reusability1 bio-based plastics1 biodegradable plastics1 remediation1 including bioremediation of plastic waste1 recyclability and remediation of plastic-based textiles1 and environmental impacts of plastic waste4 7#b7 ,supporting and facilitating public-private partnerships to leverage knowledge and resources to accelerate research1 development1 and demonstration in plastic waste reduction1 including plastics recycling1 plastics reusability1 plastic waste remediation and other areas consistent with the purposes of this ,act4 7#c7 ,interagency planning and coordination of ,federal research and development of plastic waste reduction and recycling technologies and plastic waste remediation4 7#d7 ,promoting research collaboration with international partners1 as appropriate4 #e4 ,coordination by ,interagency ,committee 7a7 ,interagency ,committee ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,director1 acting through the ,national ,science and ,technology ,council1 shall establish or designate an ,interagency ,committee to coordinate ,federal programs and activities in support of plastic waste reduction and recycling and plastic waste remediation research and development under the ,program4 7b7 ,co-,chairs ,the ,committee shall be co-chaired by the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy or designee and a representative from an agency participating in the ,committee1 as selected by the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy4 7c7 ,agency participation ,the ,committee shall include representatives from-- 7#a7 the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology2 7#b7 the ,national ,science ,foundation2 7#c7 the ,department of ,energy2 7#d7 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency2 7#e7 the ,department of ,transportation2 7#f7 the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration2 7#g7 the ,department of ,agriculture2 and 7#h7 any other ,federal agency as considered appropriate by the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy4 7d7 ,responsibilities ,the ,committee shall-- 7#a7 provide for interagency coordination of ,federal plastics reduction and recycling and plastic waste remediation research1 development1 and demonstration1 standards development1 and education and training activities and programs of ,federal departments and agencies undertaken pursuant to the ,program2 7#b7 develop definitions for the following terms to guide the activities of the ,program-- 7,a7 recycle2 7,b7 recyclability2 7,c7 remediation2 7,d7 advanced recycling2 7,e7 advanced plastics2 7,f7 biobased plastics2 7,g7 biodegradable plastics2 7,h7 microplastic2 7,i7 nanoplastic2 and 7,j7 pyroplastic2 7#c7 develop and update every #c years a strategic plan1 to be made publicly available1 for plastic waste reduction and recycling and plastic waste remediation that-- 7,a7 establishes goals1 priorities1 and metrics for guiding and evaluating the activities of the ,program2 and 7,b7 describes-- 7i7 how the ,program will determine and prioritize areas of plastic waste reduction and recycling and plastic waste remediation for ,federal research investments2 7ii7 the ,program's support for long-term funding for interdisciplinary plastic waste reduction and recycling research1 development1 demonstration1 standards development1 education1 and public outreach activities2 7iii7 how ,federal agencies participating in the ,program will collaborate with industry and with local governments1 as appropriate2 and 7iv7 how the program will help move the results of research out of the laboratory and into commercial or municipal application2 and 7,c7 with respect to the previous #c years1 provides a summary of-- 7i7 federally funded plastic waste reduction and recycling and plastic waste remediation research1 development1 and demonstration2 7ii7 the adoption of improved plastic waste reduction and recycling technologies by ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments and private entities2 and 7iii7 other related activities for the previous #c years2 and 7#d7 consider input from universities1 ,state and local governments1 scientific societies1 and public1 private and nonprofit plastic recycling manufacturers and organizations in the development of the goals1 priorities and metrics required under paragraph 7#c77;,a74 7e7 ,termination ,the ,interagency ,committee shall terminate #aj years after the date on which the ,committee is established under subsection 7a74 #f4 ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology ,as part of the ,program1 the ,director of ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall-- 7#a7 establish a science program for characterization of plastic properties before1 during1 and after recycling and manufacturing1 development of classification systems1 and creation of new data tools1 techniques1 and processes to advance plastics engineering and post-consumer plastic recycling and manufacturing2 7#b7 develop innovations for effective and efficient measures for processing plastics1 including films and textiles1 collected for recycling1 while considering existing waste streams and future new materials2 7#c7 provide the metrology basis for standards development for plastic sorting infrastructure1 processing technologies1 classification systems1 including for biobased plastics1 and recycling by design2 7#d7 develop a clearinghouse to collect and support dissemination of tools1 guidelines and standards developed under this section2 7#e7 consult with appropriate stakeholder groups to promote adoption and implementation of such guidelines and standards1 including diverse manufacturing and industry groups1 such as packaging1 including food packaging1 agriculture1 transportation1 textile and fashion2 7#f7 support plastics recycling research collaboration and coordinate standards development1 as appropriate1 with other agencies1 ,state and local governments1 nonprofit organizations1 academia1 private sector1 and international partners2 and 7#g7 establish a program for measurements1 methods and standards to assess the environmental impacts of plastics waste1 including marine debris1 and plastic particles and fibers4 #g4 ,national ,science ,foundation ,as part of the ,program1 the ,national ,science ,foundation shall-- 7#a7 support multidisciplinary basic research on advanced plastics that are designed for recyclability or biodegradation1 on plastic waste remediation1 on improving recycling technologies for different plastics1 and on composting and compostable plastics1 and on plastic waste valorization2 7#b7 support multidisciplinary research on the environmental and biological effects of plastic waste1 and particularly the formation1 transport and bioaccumulation of nano- and micro-plastics relevant to plastics recycling and plastic waste remediation2 7#c7 support research on social1 behavioral1 and economic barriers to the plastic recycling system and development1 adoption1 and expansion of plastic recycling2 7#d7 support1 as appropriate1 development of interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate curriculum and instructional materials relevant to plastics recycling and plastic waste remediation2 7#e7 support research experiences for undergraduate students relevant to plastics recycling and plastic waste remediation2 and 7#f7 support plastics recycling research collaborations1 as appropriate1 with other agencies1 ,state and local governments1 nonprofit organizations1 academia1 private sector1 and international partners4 #h4 ,department of ,energy ,as part of the ,program1 the ,secretary of ,energy shall-- 7#a7 support integrated research1 development1 and demonstration of-- 7,a7 chemical and bio-inspired plastic recycling1 including research on the potential environmental impact of chemical recycling technologies2 7,b7 advanced plastic synthesis2 7,c7 plastic waste remediation2 7,d7 recyclability-by-design2 7,e7 systems-level strategies for improved plastics separation and recovery2 and 7,f7 upcycling of recycled plastics into new high-value plastics1 including for food-grade packaging and advanced manufacturing applications2 7#b7 coordinate research efforts funded through existing programs across the ,department of ,energy1 including the ,national ,laboratories and relevant ,manufacturing ,,usa ,institutes under section #cd of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bghs72 and 7#c7 support plastics recycling research collaborations1 as appropriate1 with other agencies1 ,state and local governments1 nonprofit organizations1 academia1 private sector1 and international partners4 #i4 ,environmental ,protection ,agency ,as part of the ,program1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall-- 7#a7 conduct and support research1 development1 and demonstration of innovative plastic waste management solutions1 including reduction1 reuse1 recycling1 recovery1 composting infrastructure for bio-based plastics1 composting infrastructure for separation and removal of contamination from plastic waste1 and prevention of plastics1 including microplastics1 nanoplastics1 and pyroplastics1 from entering the air1 soil1 oceans1 and waterways2 7#b7 support and conduct research and analysis on the public health impacts of airborne and waterborne microplastics1 nanoplastics1 and pyroplastics1 including research on routes of exposure1 estimates of exposure in different populations1 and toxicity assessments on animal and aquatic health1 including the food chain2 and 7#c7 support plastics recycling research collaborations1 as appropriate1 with other agencies1 ,state and local governments1 nonprofit organizations1 academia1 private sector1 and international partners4 #aj4 ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,as part of the ,program1 the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration shall-- 7#a7 conduct and support research1 data collection1 and analysis of plastic marine debris and ocean plastic pollution generation and sources1 including microplastics1 nanoplastics1 and pyroplastics2 7#b7 support research and analysis on the health impacts of oceanic microplastics on marine animal health1 including the food chain2 and 7#c7 support ocean plastic research collaborations1 as appropriate1 with other agencies1 ,state and local governments1 nonprofit organizations1 academia1 private sector1 and international partners4 #aa4 ,comptroller ,general report ,not later than #b years after the strategic plan required by section #e7;d77#c7 is first issued1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit a report to ,congress that assesses the implementation of the strategic plan by the ,committee and participating agencies4 #ab4 ,authorizations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out activities under this ,act-- 7#a7 to the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology-- 7,a7 #aj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb2 7,b7 #aj1fej1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc2 7,c7 #aa1cdb1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd2 7,d7 #ab1jgi1jjj for fiscal year #bjbe2 and 7,e7 #ab1hfe1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf2 7#b7 to the ,national ,science ,foundation-- 7,a7 #cj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb2 7,b7 #ca1iej1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc2 7,c7 #cd1jbg1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd2 7,d7 #cf1cbh1jjj for fiscal year #bjbe2 and 7,e7 #ch1eid1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf2 7#c7 to the ,department of ,energy-- 7,a7 #be1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb2 7,b7 #bf1fbe1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc2 7,c7 #bh1cef1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd2 7,d7 #cj1aii1jjj for fiscal year #bjbe2 and 7,e7 #cb1afb1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf2 7#d7 to the ,environmental ,protection ,agency-- 7,a7 #aj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb2 7,b7 #aj1fej1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc2 7,c7 #aa1cdb1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd2 7,d7 #ab1jgi1jjj for fiscal year #bjbe2 and 7,e7 #ab1hfe1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf2 and 7#e7 to the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration-- 7,a7 #aj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb2 7,b7 #aj1fej1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc2 7,c7 #aa1cdb1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd2 7,d7 #ab1jgi1jjj for fiscal year #bjbe2 and 7,e7 #ab1hfe1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf4