Reducing Waste in National Parks Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1926
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act aims to reduce the use of disposable plastic products in units of the National Park System (NPS) by establishing a program to minimize their sale and distribution, promoting environmental sustainability and waste reduction in national parks.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: Within 180 days of enactment, the Director of the National Park Service (NPS) must create a program to reduce disposable plastic products across the NPS. Regional directors will implement it in their respective park units.
- Elimination of Sales and Distribution:
- Regional directors must eliminate sales of water in disposable plastic bottles and other disposable plastics "to the greatest extent feasible," after evaluating factors such as operational costs, waste reduction benefits, infrastructure needs (e.g., bottle refill stations), impacts on concession contracts, public health, visitor safety, and input from park operators.
- Parks that already do not sell plastic bottled water can continue this practice.
- Visitor Education: Regional directors must develop strategies to inform visitors about water availability, the program's goals, and encourage them to bring reusable bottles, including online and in-park messaging.
- Consistency and Implementation: The program must be applied uniformly within each park unit, including in agreements with concessioners (businesses operating in parks) and cooperating associations (non-profit groups selling park-related items).
- Biennial Evaluations: Every two years, regional directors must assess the program, covering public response, visitor satisfaction, purchasing trends, safety issues (e.g., dehydration or unsafe water sources), and plastic waste collection rates. Reports go to the NPS Director and Secretary of the Interior.
- Definitions:
- "Disposable plastic products" include plastic beverage bottles, plastic carryout bags, plastic food ware (even if labeled compostable or biodegradable), and expanded polystyrene items (e.g., foam cups).
- Other terms clarify roles, like "regional director" as the NPS official overseeing a park region in coordination with the park superintendent.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal program specifically targeting disposable plastics in national parks, with no direct reference to prior laws. It builds on voluntary or localized efforts in some parks (e.g., those already banning plastic bottled water) by mandating a structured, nationwide approach with evaluations and education requirements. It does not amend existing statutes but adds operational directives for NPS management.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The NPS will face implementation costs for refill stations, education, and evaluations, potentially requiring new funding or budget reallocations. Regional directors and superintendents gain responsibilities for planning and reporting, which could strain resources in remote or high-traffic parks.
- Citizens (Visitors): Park visitors may need to prepare by bringing reusable water bottles, with risks of inconvenience or safety issues (e.g., dehydration in areas without easy access to refill stations). Education efforts aim to improve awareness and satisfaction, while reducing plastic waste benefits the environment long-term.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it aligns with global efforts to curb plastic pollution, potentially enhancing U.S. leadership in conservation tourism.
- Broader Effects: Could decrease plastic litter in parks, improving ecosystems, but might affect sales revenue for park vendors if alternatives (e.g., reusable containers) are less popular.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service (NPS): Leads program creation, implementation, and evaluations; bears primary administrative burden.
- Park Visitors and the Public: Directly impacted by changes in product availability and education on sustainable practices.
- Concessioners and Cooperating Associations: Businesses and non-profits in parks must adjust sales, contracts, and operations, facing potential revenue losses or new infrastructure needs.
- Secretary of the Interior: Receives evaluation reports, overseeing broader policy alignment.
- Environmental and Public Health Groups: Indirectly benefit from waste reduction but may provide input on safety and feasibility.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill emphasizes "feasibility" in implementation, allowing flexibility to avoid undue burdens on operations or contracts, which could limit legal challenges from concessioners over property interests (e.g., leaseholder rights). It requires coordination with public health offices, ensuring compliance with health standards.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it falls under Congress's authority to manage federal lands (NPS) and promote public welfare through environmental protection.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan environmental goals by reducing plastic waste in popular public spaces, but could spark debates over government overreach in park commerce or economic effects on small businesses. As an introduced bill (S. 1926, 119th Congress), its passage would signal stronger federal commitment to sustainability amid growing plastic pollution concerns.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (11)
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- 2025-06-02: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-06-02: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Reducing Waste in National Parks Act — issued 2025-06-02 — PDF (6 pages)