117-hr-2238117th Congress

Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021

Sponsored By: Representative Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]

Unknown

Summary

Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 This bill sets forth requirements and incentives to reduce the production of a variety of products and materials, including plastics, and increase efforts to collect, recycle, or compost products and materials. 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, 2023, 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 certain facilities that manufacture plastics until regulations are updated to address pollution from the facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 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. The EPA must also ensure that certain clothes washers have filtration units as required by this bill. Finally, the bill establishes limitations on the export of plastic waste to other countries.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]

CA • D

Cosponsors

Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
VA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
MD • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Jones, Mondaire [D-NY-17]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
HI • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
ME • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
MD • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-31]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
TN • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Newman, Marie [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
VT • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7]
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Luria, Elaine G. [D-VA-2]
VA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
MN • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
TX • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Kahele, Kaiali'i [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3]
MD • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-16]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
VA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/1/2021
Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/1/2021
Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8]
PA • D
Sponsored 4/1/2021
Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/8/2021
Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
CO • D
Sponsored 4/13/2021
Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/13/2021
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/17/2021
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/17/2021
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/17/2021
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
TX • D
Sponsored 5/17/2021
Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/19/2021
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/25/2021
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/8/2021
Rep. Bowman, Jamaal [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/14/2021
Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/17/2021
Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/29/2021
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
PA • D
Sponsored 7/6/2021
Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/6/2021
Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
CT • D
Sponsored 7/20/2021
Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]
KY • D
Sponsored 8/6/2021
Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9]
NJ • D
Sponsored 8/24/2021
Rep. Manning, Kathy E. [D-NC-6]
NC • D
Sponsored 8/24/2021
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
CA • D
Sponsored 8/24/2021
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 8/24/2021
Rep. Murphy, Stephanie N. [D-FL-7]
FL • D
Sponsored 9/3/2021
Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]
FL • D
Sponsored 9/3/2021
Rep. Bourdeaux, Carolyn [D-GA-7]
GA • D
Sponsored 9/7/2021
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Sponsored 9/14/2021
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
IN • D
Sponsored 9/20/2021
Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/20/2021
Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/21/2021
Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/23/2021
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
VA • D
Sponsored 11/1/2021
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]
NY • D
Sponsored 11/23/2021
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
FL • D
Sponsored 11/23/2021
Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
GA • D
Sponsored 1/18/2022
Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 1/18/2022
Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
IL • D
Sponsored 1/18/2022
Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2022
Rep. McEachin, A. Donald [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2022
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/29/2022
Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/8/2022
Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]
NH • D
Sponsored 6/8/2022
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 9/29/2022

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov

Related Bills

Live Policy Activity

Live

Surfaced from PRIA's policy knowledge graph, ranked by signal strength, connected by evidence.

Live · 13h ago19,042Bills3,503Fed Rules1,992Wiki8 signals surfaced

Now Tracking119-hr-10135

Stalled· 76 days in stage

Not In My Barn Yard Act

Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15] (R-PA)Wallet Impact

IntroducedAug 20

Cmte Reported,

Passed Origin Chbr,

Passed Second Chbr,

Resolving Diffs,

Enrolled,

Became Law,

Current StageIntroduced· 76d

Would block federal eminent domain for most agricultural land when a feasible alternative exists, defines covered land, and excludes tiny low‑income parcels.

DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push

RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet

The U.S. Department of Labor is revising its implementing regulations for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 503). The revisions align the regulations with applicable law and recent executive orders, including Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," and Executive Order 14219, "Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's `Department of Government Efficiency' Deregulatory Initiative."

Federal RuleAug 21

Labor Updates Vietnam Vets' Job Rules After EO Shakeup

RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet

The U.S. Department of Labor publishes this final rule to revise its implementing regulations for the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended (VEVRAA). These revisions will align the regulations with Executive Order 14173 and remove the VEVRAA regulations' cross-references to the Executive Order 11246 authority. Executive Order 11246 was revoked by Executive Order 14173 on January 21, 2025. This final rule also makes technical revisions to update the VEVRAA regulations' jurisdictional thresholds, which were adjusted for inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council on October 1, 2025.

Federal RuleAug 21

Guam Harbor Locks Down for Secret Service VIP Visit

RuleHomeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard Wallet

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone for certain navigable waters of the Philippine Sea in the Pacific Ocean in Apra Harbor, Guam. The Coast Guard will only enforce this rule when the United States government officials or other persons under the protection of the Secret Service are present or expected to be present. This action is necessary to protect the official party, public, and surrounding waterways from terrorist acts, sabotage, or other subversive acts. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam.

LegislationAug 20

Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2026, as "Chuck Brown Day", and honoring Chuck Brown's contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.

119-hres-1485Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC)

introduced

Designates August 22, 2026 as "Chuck Brown Day" to celebrate the 'Godfather of Go-Go' and his impact on Washington, D.C.'s music and civic life.

LegislationAug 20

No Insider Trading on National Security Act of 2026

119-hr-10137Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27] (D-CA)

introduced

Requires the DoD Inspector General to report by Jan 1, 2027 on complaints of insider trading in prediction and energy markets tied to Operation Epic Fury, including outcomes and safeguards.

LegislationAug 20

Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026

119-hr-10136Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4] (R-AR)

introduced

Would transfer the Crossett Experimental Forest to Arkansas for research and education, require state-paid conveyance costs, university access, and allow federal reversion if requirements are not met.

How These Connect

· reasoned by PRIA's knowledge graph

Graph Connectionstructural100% confidence

Not In My Barn Yard ActLimit federal eminent domain on farms

“Bill HR10135 contains provision HR10135::prov_1”

Deep Dive

· Polipedia policy encyclopedia

Polipedia· Executive Branch — Independent Agencies

Back to Legislation

Summary

How does this bill affect your finances?

Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cosponsors

Roll Call Votes

Related Bills

Live Policy Activity

Not In My Barn Yard Act

Other Activity On This Topic

DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push

Labor Updates Vietnam Vets' Job Rules After EO Shakeup

Guam Harbor Locks Down for Secret Service VIP Visit

Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2026, as "Chuck Brown Day", and honoring Chuck Brown's contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.

No Insider Trading on National Security Act of 2026

Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026

How These Connect

Deep Dive

Federal Communications Commission — Communications Regulation

FCC & Telecommunications Regulation

War Powers Resolution

Iran Sanctions — U.S. Sanctions on the Islamic Republic

Related Bills

Live Policy Activity

Not In My Barn Yard Act

Other Activity On This Topic

DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push

Labor Updates Vietnam Vets' Job Rules After EO Shakeup

Guam Harbor Locks Down for Secret Service VIP Visit

Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2026, as "Chuck Brown Day", and honoring Chuck Brown's contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.

No Insider Trading on National Security Act of 2026

Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026

How These Connect

Deep Dive

Federal Communications Commission — Communications Regulation

FCC & Telecommunications Regulation

War Powers Resolution

Iran Sanctions — U.S. Sanctions on the Islamic Republic