Oregon鈥檚 U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley鈥攁 senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee鈥攁nnounces that his bipartisan Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies (REUSE) Act聽unanimously passed the Senate. Merkley leads the聽REUSE Act聽with West Virginia鈥檚 U.S. Senator and EPW Committee Chairman Shelley Moore Capito. The聽REUSE Act is a significant step forward in reducing waste and conserving resources across America by ensuring that reuse and refill systems are integral pillars of our circular economy.
鈥淔or years, we were taught the three Rs鈥攔educe, reuse, and recycle; but too often the reality with plastics is the three Bs鈥攂uried, burned, and borne out to sea,鈥澛爏aid Merkley.聽鈥淲e are on the way to improving reuse systems as the聽REUSE Act聽comes聽even聽one step closer to becoming law. When we better understand how reuse and refill systems most effectively operate, we are better able to create a healthier planet and future.鈥�
The bipartisan聽REUSE Act聽directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect data on reuse and refill systems across various sectors, including consumer packaging, personal care products, and wholesale shipping of retail goods.聽This legislation also聽instructs聽the EPA to provide information on the types of support at the local, state, and federal levels that could enhance reuse and refill systems. This information will help inform stakeholders about how to harness the environmental benefits and economic potential of reuse and refill systems.