H.R. 7370: Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies Act of 2026, aims to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create a report focused on reuse and refill systems. Here are the main points outlined in the bill:

Definitions

The bill defines key terms, including:

• Administrator: Refers to the head of the EPA.
• Reuse and refill system: Describes mechanisms for refillable or reusable products and beverage containers that are supported by necessary infrastructure. This includes the ability to recover, inspect, and either repair or refill these items for repeated use.
• State: Defined according to existing legal frameworks related to waste management.

Report Requirements

The EPA Administrator must produce a report within two years of the bill's enactment. This report should discuss:

• The feasibility and best practices related to reuse and refill systems in several sectors, including:
• Food service
• Consumer food and beverage products
• Consumer cleaning products
• Personal care products
• Transportation and shipping of goods
• Public educational institutions

Objectives of the Report

The report is intended to evaluate and summarize several aspects of reuse and refill systems, including:

• The most effective types of systems for different scales of operation.
• Strategies to equitably distribute these systems across communities of diverse sizes.
• Potential job creation linked to the expansion of these systems.
• Economic considerations, including costs and benefits for businesses and waste management entities.
• The necessary local, state, and federal support to promote these systems.
• Challenges that need to be addressed for broader implementation.

Considerations for the Report

In preparing the report, the Administrator is required to:

• Look at existing programs related to reuse and refill systems in both domestic and international contexts.
• Engage with stakeholders involved in reuse and refill systems to gather input and expertise.

Relevant Companies

• KO (Coca-Cola Company): Likely to be impacted due to its involvement in beverage production and the potential for adopting reusable container systems.
• PG (Procter & Gamble Co.): Affected as it produces consumer cleaning and personal care products, where refill systems may be implemented.
• SBUX (Starbucks Corporation): Possible impact as the food service sector, including coffee and beverage services, may explore reuse and refill practices.