#aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #cea ,,an ,,act ,to establish a pilot grant program to improve recycling accessibility1 to require the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency to carry out certain activities to collect and disseminate data on recycling and composting programs in the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,strategies ,to ,eliminate ,waste and ,accelerate ,recycling ,development ,act of #bjbe or the ,,steward ,act of #bjbe4 #b4 ,recycling infrastructure and accessibility improvements 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#b7 ,curbside recycling ,the term curbside recycling means the process by which residential recyclable materials are picked up curbside4 7#c7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state 7as defined in section #ajjd of the ,solid ,waste ,disposal ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fijc772 7,b7 a unit of local government2 7,c7 an ,indian ,tribe2 and 7,d7 a public-private partnership or entities seeking to establish a public-private partnership4 7#d7 ,indian ,tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#e7 ,materials recovery facility 7,a7 ,in general ,the term materials recovery facility means a dedicated facility where primarily residential recyclable materials1 which are diverted from disposal by a generator and collected separately from municipal solid waste1 are mechanically or manually sorted into commodities for further processing into specification-grade commodities for sale to end users4 7,b7 ,exclusion ,the term materials recovery facility does not include a solid waste management facility that may process municipal solid waste to remove recyclable materials4 7#f7 ,pilot grant program ,the term pilot grant program means the ,recycling ,infrastructure and ,accessibility ,program established under subsection 7b74 7#g7 ,recyclable material ,the term recyclable material means a material that is obsolete1 previously used1 off-specification1 surplus1 or incidentally produced for processing into a specification-grade commodity for which a reuse market currently exists or is being developed4 7#h7 ,transfer station ,the term transfer station means a facility that-- 7,a7 receives and consolidates recyclable material from curbside recycling or drop-off facilities2 and 7,b7 loads the recyclable material onto tractor trailers1 railcars1 or barges for transport to a distant materials recovery facility or another recycling-related facility4 7#i7 ,underserved community ,the term underserved community means a community1 including an unincorporated area1 without access to full recycling services because-- 7,a7 transportation1 distance1 or other reasons render utilization of available processing capacity at an existing materials recovery facility cost prohibitive2 or 7,b7 the processing capacity of an existing materials recovery facility is insufficient to manage the volume of recyclable materials produced by that community4 7b7 ,establishment ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall establish a pilot grant program1 to be known as the ,recycling ,infrastructure and ,accessibility ,program1 to award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible entities to improve recycling accessibility in a community or communities within the same geographic area4 7c7 ,goal ,the goal of the pilot grant program is to fund eligible projects that will significantly improve accessibility to recycling systems through investments in infrastructure in underserved communities through the use of a hub-and-spoke model for recycling infrastructure development4 7d7 ,applications ,to be eligible to receive a grant under the pilot grant program1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,administrator an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,administrator may require4 7e7 ,considerations ,in selecting eligible entities to receive a grant under the pilot grant program1 the ,administrator shall consider-- 7#a7 whether the community or communities in which the eligible entity is seeking to carry out a proposed project has curbside recycling2 7#b7 whether the proposed project of the eligible entity will improve accessibility to recycling services in a single underserved community or multiple underserved communities2 and 7#c7 7,a7 if the eligible entity is a public-private partnership1 the financial health of the private entity seeking to enter into that public-private partnership2 or 7,b7 if the eligible entity is seeking to establish a public-private partnership1 the financial health of the private entities that would participate in the public-private partnership4 7f7 ,priority ,in selecting eligible entities to receive a grant under the pilot grant program1 the ,administrator shall give priority to eligible entities seeking to carry out a proposed project in a community in which there is not more than #a materials recovery facility within a #ge-mile radius of that community4 7g7 ,use of funds ,an eligible entity awarded a grant under the pilot grant program may use the grant funds for projects to improve recycling accessibility in communities1 including in underserved communities1 by-- 7#a7 increasing the number of transfer stations2 7#b7 expanding curbside recycling collection programs where appropriate2 and 7#c7 leveraging public-private partnerships to reduce the costs associated with collecting and transporting recyclable materials in underserved communities4 7h7 ,prohibition on use of funds ,an eligible entity awarded a grant under the pilot grant program may not use the grant funds for projects relating to recycling education programs4 7i7 ,minimum and maximum grant amount ,a grant awarded to an eligible entity under the pilot grant program shall be in an amount-- 7#a7 not less than #ejj1jjj2 and 7#b7 not more than #ae1jjj1jjj4 7j7 ,set-,aside ,the ,administrator shall set aside not less than #gj percent of the amounts made available to carry out the pilot grant program for each fiscal year to award grants to eligible entities to carry out a proposed project or program in a single underserved community or multiple underserved communities4 7k7 ,federal share ,the ,federal share of the cost of a project or program carried out by an eligible entity using grant funds shall be not more than #ie percent4 7l7 ,report ,not later than #b years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under the pilot grant program1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report describing the implementation of the pilot grant program1 which shall include-- 7#a7 a list of eligible entities that have received a grant under the pilot grant program2 7#b7 the actions taken by each eligible entity that received a grant under the pilot grant program to improve recycling accessibility with grant funds2 and 7#c7 to the extent information is available1 a description of how grant funds received under the pilot grant program improved recycling rates in each community in which a project or program was carried out under the pilot grant program4 7m7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator to carry out the pilot grant program #cj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjbi1 to remain available until expended4 7#b7 ,administrative costs and technical assistance ,of the amounts made available under paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator may use up to #e percent-- 7,a7 for administrative costs relating to carrying out the pilot grant program2 and 7,b7 to provide technical assistance to eligible entities applying for a grant under the pilot grant program4 #c4 ,recycling and composting data collection 7a7 ,definitions 7#a7 ,in general ,in this section3 7,a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7,b7 ,compost ,the term compost means a product that-- 7i7 is manufactured through the controlled aerobic1 biological decomposition of biodegradable materials2 7ii7 has been subjected to medium and high temperature organisms1 which-- 7,i7 significantly reduce the viability of pathogens and weed seeds2 and 7,,ii7 stabilize carbon in the product such that the product is beneficial to plant growth2 and 7iii7 is typically used as a soil amendment1 but may also contribute plant nutrients4 7,c7 ,compostable material ,the term compostable material means material that is a feedstock for creating compost1 including-- 7i7 wood2 7ii7 agricultural crops2 7iii7 paper1 such as cardboard and other paper products2 7iv7 certified compostable products associated with organic waste2 7v7 other organic plant material2 7vi7 organic waste1 including food waste and yard waste2 and 7vii7 such other material that is composed of biomass that can be continually replenished or renewed1 as determined by the ,administrator4 7,d7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7,e7 ,recyclable material ,the term recyclable material means a material that is obsolete1 previously used1 off-specification1 surplus1 or incidentally produced for processing into a specification-grade commodity for which a reuse market currently exists or is being developed4 7,f7 ,recycling ,the term recycling means the series of activities-- 7i7 during which recyclable materials are processed into specification-grade commodities and consumed as raw-material feedstock1 in lieu of virgin materials1 in the manufacturing of new products2 7ii7 that may1 with regard to recyclable materials and prior to the activities described in clause 7i71 include sorting1 collection1 processing1 and brokering2 and 7iii7 that result1 subsequent to processing described in clause 7i71 in consumption by a materials manufacturer1 including for the manufacturing of new products4 7,g7 ,state ,the term ,state has the meaning given the term in section #ajjd of the ,solid ,waste ,disposal ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fijc74 7#b7 ,definition of processing ,in subparagraphs 7,e7 and 7,f7 of paragraph 7#a71 the term processing means any mechanical1 manual1 or other method that-- 7,a7 transforms a recyclable material into a specification-grade commodity2 and 7,b7 may occur in multiple steps1 with different phases1 including sorting1 occurring at different locations4 7b7 ,reports on composting and recycling infrastructure capabilities 7#a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,d of the ,solid ,waste ,disposal ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fida et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #djaa4 ,reports on composting and recycling infrastructure capabilities 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,incorporation of certain terms ,the terms compost1 compostable material1 recyclable material1 and recycling have the meanings given the terms in section #c7;a7 of the ,strategies ,to ,eliminate ,waste and ,accelerate ,recycling ,development ,act of #bjbe4 7#b7 ,composting facility ,the term composting facility means a location1 structure1 or device that transforms compostable materials into compost4 7#c7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#d7 ,materials recovery facility 7,a7 ,in general ,the term materials recovery facility means a dedicated facility where primarily residential recyclable materials1 which are diverted from disposal by the generator and collected separately from municipal solid waste1 are mechanically or manually sorted into commodities for further processing into specification-grade commodities for sale to end users4 7,b7 ,exclusion ,the term materials recovery facility does not include a solid waste management facility that may process municipal solid waste to remove recyclable materials4 7,c7 ,definition of processing ,for purposes of this paragraph1 the term processing has the meaning given the term in section #c7;a77#b7 of the ,strategies ,to ,eliminate ,waste and ,accelerate ,recycling ,development ,act of #bjbe4 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall request information and data from1 collaborate with1 or contract with1 as necessary and appropriate1 ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes1 for the provision1 preparation1 and publication of a report1 or to expand work under the ,national ,recycling ,strategy to include information and data1 on compostable materials and efforts to reduce contamination rates for recycling1 including-- 7,a7 an evaluation of existing ,federal1 ,state1 and local laws that may present barriers to implementation of composting strategies2 7,b7 a description and evaluation of composting infrastructure and programs within ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes2 7,c7 an estimate of the costs and approximate land needed to expand composting programs2 and 7,d7 a review of the practices of manufacturers and companies that are moving to using compostable packaging and food service ware for the purpose of making the composting process the end-of-life use of those products4 7#b7 ,submission ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress the report prepared under paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,inventory of materials recovery facilities ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this section1 and every #d years thereafter1 the ,administrator1 in consultation with relevant ,federal agencies and ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes1 shall-- 7#a7 prepare an inventory or estimate of materials recovery facilities in the ,united ,states1 including-- 7,a7 the number of materials recovery facilities in each ,state2 and 7,b7 a general description of the materials that each of those materials recovery facilities can process1 including-- 7i7 in the case of plastic1 a description of-- 7,i7 the types of accepted resin1 if applicable2 and 7,,ii7 the packaging or product format1 such as a jug1 a carton1 or film2 7ii7 food packaging and service ware1 such as a bottle1 cutlery1 or a cup2 7iii7 paper2 7iv7 aluminum1 such as an aluminum beverage can1 food can1 aerosol can1 or foil2 7v7 steel1 such as a steel food or aerosol can2 7vi7 other scrap metal2 7vii7 glass2 or 7viii7 any other material not described in any of clauses 7i7 through 7vii7 that a materials recovery facility processes2 and 7#b7 submit to ,congress the inventory or estimate prepared under paragraph 7#a74 7d7 ,information on recycling and composting systems ,the ,administrator shall1 as necessary and appropriate1 collaborate or contract with ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes to estimate1 with respect to the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 the number and types of recycling and composting programs2 7#b7 the types and forms of materials accepted by recycling or composting programs2 7#c7 the number of individuals-- 7,a7 with access to recycling and composting services to at least the extent of access to disposal services2 and 7,b7 who use1 on a percentage basis1 the recycling and composting services described in subparagraph 7,a72 7#d7 the number of individuals with barriers to accessing recycling and composting services similar to their access to disposal services and the types of those barriers experienced2 7#e7 the inbound contamination and capture rates of recycling and composting programs2 7#f7 if applicable1 other available recycling or composting programs2 and 7#g7 the average costs and benefits to ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes of recycling and composting programs4 7e7 ,recycling reporting rates 7#a7 ,collection of data2 development of rates ,the ,administrator may use amounts made available under section #c7;e7 of the ,strategies ,to ,eliminate ,waste and ,accelerate ,recycling ,development ,act of #bjbe-- 7,a7 to biannually collect1 in collaboration with ,states1 to the extent practicable1 information supplied on a voluntary basis to develop the estimated rates described in subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c72 7,b7 to develop a standardized estimated rate of recyclable materials in ,states that provide information under subparagraph 7,a7 that have been successfully diverted from the waste stream and brought to a materials recovery facility or composting facility2 and 7,c7 to develop an estimated national recycling rate based on the information described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b74 7#b7 ,use ,using amounts made available under section #c7;e7 of the ,strategies ,to ,eliminate ,waste and ,accelerate ,recycling ,development ,act of #bjbe1 the ,administrator may use the information collected and rates developed under paragraph 7#a7 to provide requesting ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes data and technical assistance-- 7,a7 to reduce the overall waste produced by the ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes2 7,b7 to assist the ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes in understanding the nuances of the information collected relating to diversion activities2 and 7,c7 to increase recycling and composting rates of the ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes4 7f7 ,report on end markets ,the ,administrator1 in collaboration or contract with1 as necessary and appropriate1 relevant ,federal agencies1 ,states1 units of local government1 or ,indian ,tribes1 shall-- 7#a7 provide an update to the report submitted under section #cjf of the ,save ,our ,seas #b4j ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-bbd2 #acd ,stat4 #ajif7 to include an addendum on the end-market sale of all recyclable materials from materials recovery facilities that process recyclable materials1 including1 to the extent practicable-- 7,a7 the total1 in dollars per ton1 domestic sales of bales of recyclable materials2 and 7,b7 the total1 in dollars per ton1 international sales of bales of recyclable materials2 7#b7 prepare a report on the end-market sale of compost from1 to the extent practicable1 compostable materials1 including the total1 in dollars per ton1 of domestic sales of compostable materials2 and 7#c7 not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this section1 submit to ,congress the update to the report prepared under paragraph 7#a7 and the report prepared under paragraph 7#b74 7g7 ,privileged or confidential information 7#a7 ,in general ,information collected under subsection 7e77#a7 or paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 of subsection 7f7 shall not include any privileged or confidential information described in section #eeb7;b77#d7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,nondisclosure ,information collected to carry out this section shall not be made public if the information meets the requirements of section #eeb7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents in section #ajja of the ,solid ,waste ,disposal ,act 7,public ,law #hi-bgb2 #ij ,stat4 #bgie2 #ih ,stat4 #cbfh7 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #djaj the following3 ,sec4 #djaa4 ,report on composting and recycling infrastructure capabilities4 4 7c7 ,federal agency activities related to recycling ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and every #b years thereafter until #bjcc1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall make publicly available a report-- 7#a7 detailing or1 to the extent practicable1 providing an estimate of-- 7,a7 the total annual recycling and composting rates reported by all ,federal agencies2 and 7,b7 the total annual percentage of products containing recyclable material1 compostable material1 or recovered materials purchased by all ,federal agencies1 including-- 7i7 the total quantity of procured products containing recyclable material or recovered materials listed in the comprehensive procurement guidelines published under section #fjjb7;e7 of the ,solid ,waste ,disposal ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fifb7;e772 and 7ii7 the total quantity of compostable material purchased by all ,federal agencies2 7#b7 identifying the activities of each ,federal agency that promote recycling or composting2 and 7#c7 identifying activities that ,federal agencies could carry out to further promote recycling or composting4 7d7 ,study on the diversion of recyclable materials from a circular market 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall develop a metric for determining the proportion of recyclable materials in commercial and municipal waste streams that are being diverted from a circular market4 7#b7 ,study2 report ,not later than #a year after the development of a metric under paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator shall conduct a study of1 and submit to ,congress a report on1 the proportion of recyclable materials in commercial and municipal waste streams that1 during each of the #aj calendar years preceding the year of submission of the report1 were diverted from a circular market4 7#c7 ,data ,the report under paragraph 7#b7 shall provide data on specific recyclable materials1 including aluminum1 plastics1 paper and paperboard1 textiles1 and glass1 that were prevented from remaining in a circular market through disposal or elimination1 and to what use those specific recyclable materials were lost4 7#d7 ,evaluation ,the report under paragraph 7#b7 shall include an evaluation of whether the establishment or improvement of recycling programs would-- 7,a7 improve recycling rates2 7,b7 reduce the quantity of recyclable materials being unutilized in a circular market2 and 7,c7 affect prices paid by consumers for products using materials recycled in the circular market4 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section #d1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjbi4 7f7 ,administration 7#a7 ,unfunded mandates ,the ,administrator or the ,secretary of ,commerce may not exercise any authority under this section or any amendment made by this section if exercising that authority would require a ,state1 a unit of local government1 or an ,indian ,tribe to carry out a mandate for which funding is not available4 7#b7 ,nondisclosure ,any information collected to carry out this section shall not be made public if the information meets the requirements of section #eeb7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 ,passed the ,senate ,november #bj1 #bjbe4,secretary