Bill Summary
The resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for "Design for Recycling" (DFR) initiatives, which aim to encourage manufacturers to create products that are predominantly recyclable and made from recycled materials. By adopting DFR principles, manufacturers can contribute to reducing waste, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing reliance on raw materials.
The resolution highlights several key points:
1. **Waste Reduction**: DFR aims to minimize landfill waste by ensuring products are designed for end-of-life recycling, which could significantly reduce the amount of solid waste generated.
2. **Economic Impact**: The recycled materials industry significantly bolsters the U.S. economy, contributing nearly $170 billion annually and supporting close to 600,000 jobs. It is also a source of substantial tax revenue for both state and federal governments.
3. **Environmental Benefits**: Utilizing recycled materials can decrease energy consumption in manufacturing by up to 90%. The resolution underscores that a large portion of waste is recyclable, but a significant percentage is not currently recycled, indicating room for improvement in recycling practices.
4. **E-Waste Management**: The resolution addresses the growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste), which contains hazardous materials but can be recycled to recover valuable rare earth elements.
5. **Sustainable Practices**: The resolution promotes a circular economy, where materials and products are kept in circulation through recycling, reuse, and composting, emphasizing the importance of innovative design and sustainable sourcing.
The resolution ultimately calls for the manufacturing sector to adopt DFR strategies to enhance recyclability, support the economy, and protect the environment.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Design for Recycling" (DFR) initiatives outlined in the resolution could affect people:
1. **Economic Opportunities and Job Creation**: DFR initiatives encourage the growth of the recycled materials industry, which already contributes significantly to the U.S. economy. By promoting recycling and the use of recycled materials in manufacturing, the resolution could lead to the creation of new jobs—potentially up to 200,000 new positions as suggested by studies. This means more employment opportunities for individuals, particularly in sectors related to recycling, manufacturing, and environmental services.
2. **Reduction of Environmental Impact**: DFR initiatives aim to minimize waste and promote recycling, which can lead to a significant reduction in landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions. This would benefit communities by improving air and water quality and reducing the environmental footprint associated with waste disposal. Individuals could experience a healthier living environment, contributing to overall well-being and reducing public health risks associated with pollution.
3. **Consumer Participation and Awareness**: With the push for manufacturers to design products that are easier to recycle, consumers may become more engaged in recycling efforts. Programs like the California Redemption Value incentivize consumers to return recyclable materials, leading to increased participation in recycling programs. This heightened awareness can foster a culture of sustainability among individuals, encouraging them to make more environmentally conscious choices in their purchasing and disposal habits.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 927 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 927
Declaring support by the House of Representatives for Design for
Recycling (DFR) initiatives that limit all types of waste by
encouraging manufacturers to design their products to have the maximum
number of recyclable components.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 4, 2025
Mr. Correa (for himself, Mrs. Kim, and Mr. Morelle) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Declaring support by the House of Representatives for Design for
Recycling (DFR) initiatives that limit all types of waste by
encouraging manufacturers to design their products to have the maximum
number of recyclable components.
Whereas Design for Recycling (DFR) is a method of designing products to ensure
they are made from recycled material, are free of hazardous materials
that may impede the recycling process, and can be easily recycled
through current or newly designed recycling processes and procedures
after the end of their life in a cost-effective manner;
Whereas DFR would reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, reducing
greenhouse gases and the consumption of raw materials;
Whereas the recycled materials industry annually contributes nearly
$170,000,000,000 to the United States economy and provides nearly
$20,200,000,000 in net exports, helping to reduce the United States
trade deficit;
Whereas, according to the Recycled Materials Association, the recycled materials
industry annually generates $7,160,000,000 in State and local tax
revenues and provides another $11,550,000,000 in Federal tax revenue
from the industry and its employees;
Whereas, according to the Recycled Materials Association, the recycled materials
industry provides nearly 600,000 jobs in the United States both directly
and indirectly;
Whereas, in 2022, the recycled materials industry recycled over 137,000,000
metric tons of materials;
Whereas, according to calculations from the Waste Reduction Model, Version 16,
of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using recycled materials
in manufacturing reduces energy consumption by up to 90 percent;
Whereas the EPA estimates that about 75 percent of waste is recyclable, but only
35 percent of that is actually recycled, leaving the rest to go to
landfills and incinerators;
Whereas Americans generated more than 267,000,000 tons of solid waste in 2020 or
4.9 pounds per person per day;
Whereas the container and fiberglass industries collectively purchase 3,350,000
tons of recycled glass annually, which is remelted and repurposed for
use in the production of new containers and fiberglass products;
Whereas, according to the nonprofit rePurpose Global, about 75 percent of global
plastics produced are thermoplastics that can be melted and molded over
and over to produce new plastics (or plastic products);
Whereas only about 20 percent of the polyethylene terephthalate, high-density
polyethylene, and polypropylene plastics in circulation in the United
States are recycled;
Whereas the United States generates about 6,900,000 tons of e-waste but only
recycles around 25 percent;
Whereas, according to the EPA, e-waste sometimes has hazardous chemicals such as
lead, mercury, and arsenic that can require special disposal methods;
Whereas recycling e-waste is a sustainable way to recover rare earth materials
like neodymium, dysprosium, and yttrium;
Whereas, according to the American Forest and Paper Association nearly 60
percent more paper products are recycled today than in 1990 due to
innovative packaging and investments focused on improving recycling
technology;
Whereas, according to a study by The Recycling Partnership, additional
investment in recycling will create 200,000 new jobs;
Whereas, according to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, material journey mapping,
which is a process of understanding the entire lifecycle of a material
from extraction to disposal, can help companies succeed at DFR;
Whereas, in 2021, the company Cascade Engineering manufactured the first
curbside cart, EcoCart, made from bulky rigid plastics collected from
curbside residential recycling, this is an example of DFR;
Whereas the California Redemption Value program incentivizes consumers through
the free market to return their cans and bottles to a recycling center;
Whereas, according to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, ``the circular economy is
a system where products and materials are kept in circulation through
processes like maintenance, reuse, recycling, and composting.'';
Whereas there are companies that assist manufacturers to embrace a circular
approach through their eco-design and sustainable sourcing models;
Whereas using local resources in manufacturing and understanding locally
available resources can promote circularity (a circular approach);
Whereas product life extension means keeping material and products in the supply
chain for as long as possible so products are more durable, and
companies can find innovative ways to use the product after its normal
life ends;
Whereas dematerialization is a strategy to minimize the use of raw materials and
energy in product creation while maintaining the products quality;
Whereas the collection of recycling data by CalRecycle is critical to helping
manufacturers design packaging for recyclability and is a model for
other programs; and
Whereas DFR would encourage manufacturers of goods to ensure their products are
made of recycled material and fully recyclable: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports measures by the manufacturing community to
adopt ``Design for Recycling'' initiatives that aim to make it
easier for companies to recycle products, reduce waste and
greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the need for raw
materials; and
(2) confirms that the recycled materials industry serves an
essential role in our economy as they manage end-of-life
products, provide vital raw materials to the manufacturing
supply chain, contribute to the economy, and employ over half-
a-million people throughout the United States.
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