Plastics Pipe Institute backs federal bill to track recycled plastic content

The Plastics Pipe Institute endorsed the Tracking Plastic Act of 2026, a Senate bill that would create a federal working group to improve recycled-plastic measurement, traceability and reporting. The proposal could affect construction and infrastructure and aims to give consumers and manufacturers more reliable recycled-content data.

Why it matters: - The Tracking Plastic Act of 2026 could set federal standards for measuring and reporting recycled plastic content. - The bill is aimed at improving data quality, traceability and accountability across the plastics supply chain. - The proposal also puts construction and infrastructure in scope, which matters for a major end market for plastic pipe.

What happened: - The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. announced support for the Tracking Plastic Act of 2026 (S. 5182) on Aug. 14, 2026. - U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff, Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden and Cory Booker introduced the bill. - The legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 30, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. - PPI represents more than 200 companies across the North American plastic pipe industry.

The details: - The bill would create a federal working group to make recommendations on recycled plastic content. - The working group would examine measurement, traceability, reporting and data collection. - The bill also calls for recommendations on ways to increase the use of post-consumer resin. - Construction and infrastructure are specifically identified among the sectors the working group should consider. - The bill would also examine standardized data collection, domestic markets for recycled plastics, post-consumer resin use and ways to better align recycled-content tracking across states. - PPI President David Fink said the group has sought a federal approach that brings stakeholders together around consistent standards and better data. - Fink said PPI looks forward to contributing technical expertise as the work moves forward.

Between the lines: - The endorsement signals industry interest in a federal framework that could reduce state-by-state variation in recycled-content tracking. - The bill’s focus on reporting and traceability suggests lawmakers are targeting consumer trust as well as market transparency. - Senators Schiff and Merkley framed the proposal as a consumer-protection measure against misleading recycled-content claims.

What's next: - The Senate Commerce Committee will be the first formal stop for the legislation. - If advanced, the bill could shape how recycled content is tracked and reported across multiple industries. - PPI said it plans to contribute technical expertise as the process continues.

The bottom line: - PPI’s backing gives the Tracking Plastic Act added industry credibility as lawmakers push for a standardized recycled-plastic tracking system.