# 116-hr-5845: Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020

116-hr-5845, Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020, is a 116th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (D-CA); status Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. (as of 2025-11-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-5845
- As of: 2025-11-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 116-hr-5845
- Congress: 116
- Title: Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
- Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Introduced: 2020-02-11
- Sponsor: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (D-CA)
- Cosponsors: 94
- Policy area: Environmental Protection
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-11-18

## Summary

Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 This bill sets forth requirements related to waste and recycling collection systems for a variety of products and materials, including plastics. The bill makes certain producers of products (e.g., packaging, paper, single-use products, beverage containers, or food service products) fiscally responsible for collecting, managing, and recycling or composting the products after consumer use. In addition, the bill establishes (1) minimum percentages of products that must be reused, recycled, or composted; and (2) an increasing percentage of recycled content that must be contained in beverage containers. Beginning on January 1, 2022, the bill phases out a variety of single-use products, such as plastic utensils. The bill also sets forth provisions to encourage the reduction of single-use products, including by establishing programs to refund consumers for returning beverage containers and by establishing a tax on carryout bags. The bill creates a temporary moratorium on new or expanded permits for facilities that manufacture plastics until regulations are updated to address pollution from the facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency must publish guidelines for a national standardized labeling system for recycling and composting receptacles. Producers must include labels on their products that are easy to read and indicate whether the products are recyclable, compostable, or reusable. Finally, the bill establishes limitations on the export of plastic waste to other countries.

## Cosponsors (94)

- Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5] (D-MA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] (D-IL), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (D-CA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1] (D-HI), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11] (D-VA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- ELIOT ENGEL (D-NY), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Haaland, Debra A. [D-NM-1] (D-NM), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20] (D-FL), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (D-CA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] (D-WA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] (D-CA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] (D-CA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36] (D-CA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4] (D-MN), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (D-MA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19] (D-CA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] (D-ME), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8] (D-MD), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rouda, Harley [D-CA-48] (D-CA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3] (D-MD), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (D-IL), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] (D-NY), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (D-NY), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43] (D-CA), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] (D-VT), 2020-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] (D-CA), 2020-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18] (D-CA), 2020-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] (D-TX), 2020-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6] (D-NY), 2020-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2020-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (D-MA), 2020-02-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8] (D-WA), 2020-02-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13] (D-NY), 2020-02-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9] (D-NY), 2020-02-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37] (D-TX), 2020-02-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4] (D-CA), 2020-02-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (D-OR), 2020-02-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] (D-CO), 2020-02-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] (D-MS), 2020-02-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (D-OH), 2020-02-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] (D-MA), 2020-02-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (D-FL), 2020-02-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12] (D-NJ), 2020-02-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-47] (D-CA), 2020-02-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-16] (D-CA), 2020-02-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] (D-CA), 2020-02-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (D-OR), 2020-02-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6] (D-MD), 2020-03-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2] (D-WA), 2020-03-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9] (D-MI), 2020-03-02T00:00:00.000Z
- SUSAN DAVIS (D-CA), 2020-03-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (D-MN), 2020-03-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE] (D-DE), 2020-03-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19] (D-NY), 2020-03-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1] (D-WA), 2020-03-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-8] (D-MI), 2020-03-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kennedy, Joseph P., III [D-MA-4] (D-MA), 2020-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (D-OR), 2020-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6] (D-WA), 2020-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4] (D-PA), 2020-03-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4] (D-IL), 2020-03-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5] (D-MO), 2020-04-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-31] (D-CA), 2020-04-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] (D-CA), 2020-05-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28] (D-CA), 2020-06-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] (D-TX), 2020-06-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39] (D-CA), 2020-07-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] (D-WA), 2020-07-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18] (D-NY), 2020-07-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34] (D-CA), 2020-07-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25] (D-FL), 2020-07-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26] (D-CA), 2020-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2] (D-MD), 2020-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12] (D-NY), 2020-07-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40] (D-CA), 2020-07-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13] (D-FL), 2020-08-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22] (D-FL), 2020-09-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (D-MA), 2020-09-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Luria, Elaine G. [D-VA-2] (D-VA), 2020-09-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3] (D-MA), 2020-09-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5] (D-NY), 2020-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9] (D-MA), 2020-09-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] (D-NY), 2020-09-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25] (D-NY), 2020-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14] (D-NY), 2020-10-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3] (D-VA), 2020-11-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3] (D-PA), 2020-11-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32] (D-CA), 2020-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7] (D-PA), 2020-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2020-12-18T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 116-hr-7120: George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020
- 116-hr-2382: USPS Fairness Act
- 116-hr-4: Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019
- 116-hr-1140: Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020
- 116-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 116-hr-8015: Delivering for America Act

## Sources
- [116-hr-5845 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5845)

## Related
- [116-hr-7120: George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-7120)
- [116-hr-2382: USPS Fairness Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-2382)
- [116-hr-4: Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-4)
- [116-hr-1140: Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-1140)
- [116-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-51)
- [116-hr-8015: Delivering for America Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-8015)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-5845 (as of 2025-11-18).