STEWARD Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Shelley Capito
Passed Senate
Summary
Establishes a pilot grant program to expand recycling infrastructure and improve access to curbside recycling in underserved communities. The bill focuses on a hub-and-spoke approach to add transfer stations, expand collection, and lower collection and transport costs through public-private partnerships.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA recycling data, reports, and funding
If enacted, EPA would work with States, local governments, and Tribes to collect data and publish recycling and composting reports. A composting and contamination strategies report would be due within 2 years. An inventory of materials recovery facilities would be due in 3 years and updated every 4 years. EPA could collect voluntary State data twice a year to estimate State diversion and a national recycling rate, and provide technical help. End‑market sales and compost end‑market reports would be due within 3 years. EPA would set a metric on diversion from circular markets within 1 year and publish a 10‑year study 1 year later. Confidential business data would be protected, and the section would not allow unfunded mandates. The bill would authorize $4 million per year for fiscal years 2025–2029 to support this work, subject to appropriations.
Grants to expand local recycling access
If enacted, EPA would set up a pilot grant program within 18 months. It would award competitive grants of $500,000 to $15,000,000. At least 70% of yearly funds would go to projects in underserved communities. The federal share could not exceed 95% of project costs. Money could add transfer stations, expand curbside collection, and use public‑private partnerships to lower costs, but could not fund recycling education. Projects in areas with no more than one materials recovery facility within 75 miles would get priority. The bill would authorize $30 million per year for fiscal years 2025–2029, with up to 5% for administration and technical help. EPA would report to Congress within 2 years of the first award.
Reports on federal recycling and purchasing
If enacted, the Comptroller General would publish a public report within 2 years and then every 2 years until 2033. It would show recycling and composting rates across federal agencies. It would estimate how much federal buying uses recyclable, compostable, or recovered materials. It would list actions agencies take now and steps they could add.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Shelley Capito
WV • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
John Boozman
AR • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov