STEWARD Act of 2025
STEWARD Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# STEWARD Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary The STEWARD Act (Strategies To Eliminate Waste and Accelerate Recycling Development Act) aims to improve recycling and composting across the United States. If passed, the bill would direct the EPA to create a grant program that gives money to states, local governments, tribal nations, and public-private partnerships to expand recycling access—with special focus on underserved communities that currently have limited recycling options. The bill also requires the EPA to systematically collect data about recycling and composting infrastructure nationwide, create an inventory of recycling facilities every three to four years, and develop a measurement system to track how much recyclable material ends up in regular trash. **Who it affects:** Primarily state and local governments, Indian tribes, recycling facilities, and communities—especially rural and underserved areas that may lack adequate recycling infrastructure.
The bill also impacts the EPA, which takes on new administrative and data-collection responsibilities. **Current status:** The bill has passed the Senate and is now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives. It was sponsored by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and represents a bipartisan focus on environmental infrastructure and waste reduction.
CRS Official Summary
Strategies To Eliminate Waste and Accelerate Recycling Development Act of 2025 or the STEWARD Act of 2025This bill establishes requirements to expand recycling and composting efforts, including by creating (1) a pilot grant program, and (2) data collection and reporting requirements.The bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a pilot program that awards grants for improving recycling accessibility in communities, particularly in underserved communities. States, local governments, Indian tribes, and public-private partnerships may apply for those grants.The bill also directs the EPA to collect data related to composting and recycling infrastructure from states, local governments, and Indian tribes. Within three years and every four years thereafter, the EPA must prepare an inventory of certain recycling facilities in the United States. The EPA must also develop a metric for determining the proportion of recyclable materials in commercial and municipal waste streams that are being diverted from a circular market.The bill allows the EPA to develop (1) a standardized estimated rate of recyclable materials that have been brought to recycling or composting facilities, and (2) an estimated national recycling rate. The EPA may use the rates and information collected to provide states, local government, and Indian tribes data and technical assistance, such as assistance to reduce their overall waste and to increase their recycling and composting rates.The bill establishes a variety of reporting requirements for the EPA and directs the Government Accountability Office to publish a report on certain federal agency activities related to recycling.
Latest Action
Held at the desk.