ARLINGTON, Va., — The Recycling Leadership Council (RLC) applauded Senator John Curtis (R-UT) for introducing the Recycled Materials Attribution Act (RMAA). The bill mirrors H.R. 7502, which Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) introduced in the House in February, and gives both chambers a monumental opportunity to fix our nation’s recycling system.
The RMAA would establish uniform national recycling definitions, reducing consumer confusion, enabling innovative technologies to reduce waste, creating good-paying jobs, and protecting affordability.
“Recycling has evolved, and Senator Curtis recognizes that federal policy must catch up. The RMAA is essential to achieving a more circular economy, reusing more materials that would otherwise go to landfills. This practical yet impactful legislation will benefit consumers, manufacturers and the environment,” said John Hewitt, Spokesperson, Recycling Leadership Council.
Senator Curtis underscored the broader need for a consistent national approach.
“American manufacturers should not have to navigate a maze of conflicting rules to make straightforward claims about recycled materials,” said Senator Curtis. “This bill creates a clear standard that protects consumers from misleading claims while giving businesses the certainty they need to invest in new recycling technologies.”
Specifically, the RMAA would:
• Establish a uniform, predictable, evidence-based national framework to reduce complexity for consumers, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers.
• Require the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to update and clarify its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, also known as the FTC Green Guides, to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Strengthen consumer protection through clear, enforceable national marketing standards.
The legislation is supported by a diverse coalition of consumer brands, packaging leaders, recyclers and manufacturers who emphasize that clear national standards for marketing of recycled content are critical to improving recycling outcomes, tackling plastic waste and meeting growing consumer demand for recycled materials. The RLC urges the House to pass the RMAA without delay and looks forward to working with Senator Curtis and his colleagues to send this commonsense bill to the President’s desk.
What They are Saying
Companies and associations across American industry see the RMAA as essential to reaching their self-determined environmental goals and complying with state packaging requirements. RLC members supporting the bill include the Ag Container Recycling Council, American Chemistry Council, American Circular Textiles, Consumer Brands Association, Household & Commercial Products Association, Meat Institute, National Retail Federation, and the Plastics Industry Association.
American Chemistry Council
“America cannot build a modern recycling system under rules written for yesterday’s technologies. To recycle more in America, we need clear rules that strengthen demand for recycled materials and give companies the confidence to invest in new infrastructure and technologies. The RMAA would provide more certainty, helping recycling grow, strengthening American manufacturing and keeping more valuable materials in use and out of landfills.”
American Circular Textiles
“Clear, consistent definitions are foundational to building a circular economy. The Recycled Materials Attribution Act creates a unified federal definition of recycled materials that recognizes the technologies needed to enable circularity across material streams. When reuse and repair aren’t possible, we need viable pathways to keep those materials in circulation. American Circular Textiles represents companies across the textile value chain and applauds Senator Curtis for introducing legislation that provides this much-needed clarity and supports the continued development of textile-to-textile recycling in the United States.”
Alliance for Automotive Innovation
"There's a long history of recycling in the auto industry where we regularly use (and reuse) recycled materials. But right now, conflicting state and federal rules are holding back the use of recycled materials in the auto manufacturing process. That's a real missed opportunity, especially when you consider the amount of plastic in your average vehicle. So, this is important leadership from Senator Curtis that achieves two important goals at once: the Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 expands the supply and use of recycled materials in vehicles and other products and ensures consumers have access to the most accurate information about those products. Good for consumers, good for automakers and good for recycling."
Consumer Brands Association
“The Consumer Brands Association thanks Senator Curtis for his leadership in introducing the Recycled Materials Attribution Act and advancing a historic opportunity for Congress to modernize our country’s recycling system. The RMAA would standardize definitions for recycled-content claims. The bill would mitigate consumer confusion, reduce waste and keep the everyday essentials consumers rely on affordable. The makers of America’s trusted household brands look forward to working with Senator Curtis to advance this important legislation.”
About the Recycling Leadership Council
The Recycling Leadership Council (RLC) is a unified, broad-based coalition working to reduce plastic waste by advancing policies that improve recycling, strengthen resource efficiency, and support modern manufacturing solutions.
For more information, visit www.recyclingleadershipcouncil.org.
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