Recognizing Significant ReMA-Supported Recycling Legislation During Infrastructure Week 2026

Strong U.S. infrastructure depends on a strong recycled materials industry that supplies the essential raw materials to power American manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, and modernize our economy. As United for Infrastructure launches its 14^th Annual Infrastructure Week on May 18-22, progress on Capitol Hill is highlighting the vital role recycled materials play in sustaining the nation's infrastructure.

Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act & Recycling and Composting Accountability Act

On Thursday, May 14, the House Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Environment moved the Recycling Infrastructure Accessibility Act (RIAA) and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (RCAA) forward. The bills were combined into one package to model the STEWARD Act, which the Senate passed on unanimous consent this past November.

The bills will help to advance the nation's recycling infrastructure, driving both economic growth and environmental sustainability through improved material management practices. ReMA joined 49 other organizations in supportingopens in a new tab the bills and is advocating for final passage by the full House.

If passed, the legislative package would improve data collection on our nation's recycling systems and explore the potential of a national composting strategy. The legislation would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect and publish data on recycling and composting rates across the country to provide an accurate reflection of performance both nationwide and at the state level.

Improving access to recycling services and better reporting and data collection allow the country to make informed recycling investments and helps to advance the recovery of materials that are essential to our manufacturing supply chains.

The legislation also would establish a pilot recycling program at the EPA. This program would award grants to eligible entities for improving recycling accessibility in a community or communities within the same geographic area. The goal is to fund eligible projects that would significantly improve access to recycling systems in underserved communities using a hub-and-spoke model for recycling infrastructure development.

This action in the House is a critical step toward expanding access to recycling and building a stronger, more equitable recycling system across the country.

The Cultivating Investment in Recycling and Circular Local Economies (CIRCLE) Act

The CIRCLE Act (H.R. 4466) is a targeted approach to modernize America's recycling infrastructure and support domestic manufacturing capacity.

If passed, the bill would establish a targeted investment tax credit to strengthen U.S. recycling infrastructure, bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce waste sent to landfills and incinerators. It would establish a 30 percent investment tax credit for qualified investments in new or upgraded recycling infrastructure.

Manufacturers rely on recycled materials for a significant portion of their raw material needs, and the CIRCLE Act helps strengthen and grow America's recycling infrastructure to ensure the recycled materials industry can continue to support American manufacturing.

As we recognize Infrastructure Week, ReMA is focused on advancing the recycling infrastructure network needed to serve communities across America and strengthen the nation's industrial future.

Photo by Sara Cottle on Unsplash.