Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

Less single-use plastic in parks

If enacted, the National Park Service would set up a program within 180 days to cut disposable plastic in parks. The program would try to stop selling water in single-use plastic bottles and other disposable plastic items where feasible. Regional directors would roll out the plan and add it to concession and cooperating association sales agreements. Parks that did not sell bottled water before enactment could keep not selling it. Before eliminating sales, parks would consider costs, waste reduction, refill station and testing costs, contract effects, public health, safety, and visitor education. Regional staffs would run visitor education and add signs so visitors know water is available. Every 2 years parks would evaluate and report on public response, water access, sales, safety (including dehydration or surface-water disease), and bottle collection rates.