Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2145
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T08:06:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025 aims to create a temporary pilot grant program run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enhance recycling access, particularly in areas lacking sufficient services. It focuses on building infrastructure using a "hub-and-spoke" model, where central hubs (like processing facilities) connect to smaller collection points (spokes) to make recycling more efficient and reachable.
Key Provisions
- Program Setup: The EPA must establish the "Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Program" within 18 months of the bill's enactment. Grants are awarded competitively to eligible recipients, including states, local governments, Indian Tribes (as defined under federal law for self-determination), and public-private partnerships.
- Eligibility and Selection: Applicants must submit details on their projects. The EPA will prioritize areas with limited recycling facilities (no more than one materials recovery facility— a site that sorts recyclables for sale—within 75 miles) and consider factors like existing curbside pickup (collection from homes at the street edge), potential to serve underserved communities (areas where distance, cost, or capacity limits recycling), and the financial stability of private partners.
- Allowed Uses of Funds: Grants can fund:
- Adding more transfer stations (sites that collect and consolidate recyclables from homes or drop-offs for transport to larger facilities).
- Expanding curbside recycling programs where suitable.
- Partnering with private entities to cut costs for collecting and moving recyclables in underserved areas.
- Funds cannot be used for recycling education or awareness campaigns.
- Grant Details:
- Minimum grant: $500,000; maximum: $15,000,000.
- At least 70% of funds must go to projects in one or more underserved communities.
- Federal funding covers up to 90% of project costs, but the EPA can waive this for entities facing financial hardship.
- Reporting and Oversight: Two years after the first grant, the EPA must report to Congress on recipients, project actions, and any improvements in recycling rates (where data is available).
- Funding: Authorizes $30 million annually from fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Up to 5% can cover EPA administrative costs and technical help for applicants.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new pilot program without directly amending prior laws like the Solid Waste Disposal Act (which defines terms like "state" for waste management). It adds a focused federal funding mechanism for recycling infrastructure, filling gaps in current EPA programs by emphasizing underserved areas and infrastructure over education or general waste management.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The EPA gains responsibility for administering grants, reviewing applications, providing technical assistance, and reporting to Congress, which may increase its workload and budget needs.
- Citizens: Residents in underserved communities could gain better access to recycling through more collection points and transport options, potentially raising recycling rates, reducing landfill use, and lowering household waste disposal costs. Rural or low-income areas far from processing sites stand to benefit most.
- International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is domestic-focused on U.S. waste management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Level: EPA as the program administrator.
- State and Local Levels: States, cities, counties, and other local governments as grant recipients and implementers.
- Tribal Communities: Indian Tribes eligible for grants to address unique geographic challenges.
- Private Sector: Businesses in public-private partnerships, which can co-fund and operate infrastructure to improve efficiency.
- Communities: Especially underserved ones (e.g., rural, remote, or high-waste areas without nearby facilities), gaining improved services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The program operates under standard federal grant rules, with clear definitions to avoid ambiguity (e.g., excluding facilities that handle mixed waste). It promotes equity by prioritizing underserved areas but includes waivers for financial needs, ensuring flexibility without broad mandates.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power to fund environmental initiatives; no apparent issues with federalism, as it supports voluntary state and local participation.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) suggests broad support for environmental infrastructure. As a pilot, it allows testing before potential expansion, but its five-year funding limit could lead to debates on long-term commitment if successful in boosting recycling rates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
Cosponsors (29)
Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
- 2026-05-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-05-14: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2026-05-14: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (8 pages)