Reshaping Recycling: What You Need to Know – Part I: Federal Legislative Threats and Opportunities

The recycling landscape is at a pivotal moment. Across the country, a growing wave of federal legislation, evolving standards, and competing industry narratives is reshaping how “recycling” is defined, measured, and implemented. At the same time, these fundamental changes threaten to undermine recycling as we know it and may have far-reaching implications for state and local authority, community-based recycling systems, and environmental outcomes. This presentation connects the dots across state and federal policy, plastics legislation currently before Congress, and emerging standards that will help our members better understand what’s at stake and why it matters now. Featured Presenters: Jeremy Drake, Vice President of the National Recycling Coalition Jay Bassett – Chairperson, NRC Board of Directors Kirstie Pecci – Zero waste advocate and environmental attorney; Executive Director, Just Zero Kristen Hildreth – Expert in advocacy, government relations, and strategic partnerships; Recycled Materials Association, ReMA What This Webinar Will Explore Key federal bills shaping the future of recycling, plastics, and material management How definitions, standards, and labeling frameworks are evolving—and why they matter The intersection of federal policy and state-level action (including preemption risks) The growing role of mass balance accounting, certification systems, and claims-making What these shifts could mean for recyclers, communities, and the integrity of recycling systems