Recycling Infrastructure and Data Accountability Act
Latest action (30 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9987, the Recycling Infrastructure and Data Accountability Act, would direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study on the feasibility of creating a standardized national database tracking recyclable materials, recycling infrastructure capacity, material recovery outcomes, landfill diversion, areas with limited access to recycling services, and the performance of extended producer responsibility programs. The study would identify underserved regions, catalog large waste and recycling facilities (generally those handling at least 25,000 tons annually), assess processing capacity, and examine permitting and economic barriers to building or expanding recycling facilities. Within 18 months of enactment, EPA would report its findings and recommendations to Congress. If EPA determines such a database is feasible and recommends creating it, the agency would be required to establish and maintain a publicly available online version within one year of submitting the report.
The bill primarily affects the EPA, which would bear new study and reporting obligations, and could eventually affect waste management companies, recycling facility operators, state and local governments, and producers participating in extended producer responsibility programs, since the database could later inform infrastructure planning and policy decisions. The public could also gain access to new information about recycling capacity and gaps in service.
The bill was introduced on July 30, 2026, by Rep. Michael Lawler with Rep. Josh Gottheimer as a cosponsor, and has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. No further action has occurred; the committee would need to consider the bill before it could move to the full House.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 30, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9987 do?
- H.R. 9987, the Recycling Infrastructure and Data Accountability Act, would direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study on the feasibility of creating a standardized national database tracking recyclable materials, recycling infrastructure capacity, material recovery outcomes, landfill diversion, areas with limited access to recycling services, and the performance of extended producer responsibility programs. The study would identify underserved regions, catalog large waste and recycling facilities (generally those handling at least 25,000 tons annually), assess processing capacity, and examine permitting and economic barriers to building or expanding recycling facilities. Within 18 months of enactment, EPA would report its findings and recommendations to Congress. If EPA determines such a database is feasible and recommends creating it, the agency would be required to establish and maintain a publicly available online version within one year of submitting the report. The bill primarily affects the EPA, which would bear new study and reporting obligations, and could eventually affect waste management companies, recycling facility operators, state and local governments, and producers participating in extended producer responsibility programs, since the database could later inform infrastructure planning and policy decisions. The public could also gain access to new information about recycling capacity and gaps in service. The bill was introduced on July 30, 2026, by Rep. Michael Lawler with Rep. Josh Gottheimer as a cosponsor, and has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. No further action has occurred; the committee would need to consider the bill before it could move to the full House.
- Has H.R. 9987 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Jul 2026, H.R. 9987 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9987?
- H.R. 9987 was sponsored by Rep. Michael Lawler [R-NY17] (Republican-NY), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9987?
- Introduced (30 Jul 2026).
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