Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act of 2026
Restricts certain single-use beverage containers and directs collected fines to local waste, water, recycling, and composting grants.
In the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 14 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Rules for beverage packaging affect what retailers can sell and how communities handle waste. The bill would restrict sales and distribution of certain single-use beverage containers based on their materials, color, or contents. It would also direct collected fines to a fund for local infrastructure grants.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Restricts certain single-use beverage containers
Starting 2 years after enactment, retailers could not sell, offer for sale, or distribute a single-use beverage container that contains a toxic substance or polyethylene glycol, is made wholly or partly of polyethylene terephthalate glycol, or is opaque or colored other than transparent blue or green. The rule covers containers of up to 3 liters made of any material, with exclusions for cartons and aseptic packages such as drink boxes.
- Creates fines for violations
A retailer could be fined up to $50,000 per violation. Each product line would count as a separate violation if any container in it breaks the restriction; collected fines would go to the Local Clean Up of Plastics Fund.
- Funds local infrastructure grants
The EPA Administrator could use money in the Local Clean Up of Plastics Fund to make competitive grants to local governments for solid-waste, water-system, recycling, and composting improvements. The bill gives priority to projects serving rural areas or underserved communities.
- Defines substances covered by the restriction
The bill defines a toxic substance using specified health and environmental hazard criteria, agency determinations, and named chemical groups. Its definition of beverage includes many drinks but excludes drugs, infant formula, and meal-replacement liquids.
The bill aims to keep specified substances and packaging materials out of single-use beverage containers, including substances it identifies as potential health or environmental hazards and materials it says can prevent recyclability. It also links retailer fines to local infrastructure improvements intended to divert waste from landfills or help meet environmental rules.
The practical stakes include which beverage containers retailers may offer and whether local governments can obtain grant money for waste, water, recycling, or composting projects.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026SENATESEP 24, 2026By Sen. Welch with 4 original cosponsorsReferred to Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 24, 2026COMMERCE, SCIENCE, & TRANSPORTATION NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 14 daysNo hearing yet
- 14 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 14, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 4 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Welch’s record: sponsored 85 bills this Congress. 8 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Cory A. BookerD-NJORIGINAL
- Jeff MerkleyD-ORORIGINAL
- Bernie SandersI-VTORIGINAL
- Chris Van HollenD-MDORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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