Senate Passes Bipartisan REUSE Act to Advance Research on Reuse and Refill Systems
Federal lawmakers take step toward reusable and refillable solutions to curb plastic pollution
Press Release Date: November 21, 2025
Location: Washington
Contact:
Megan Jordan | email: mjordan@oceana.org | tel: 202.868.4061
WASHINGTON — Last night, the Senate passed the bipartisan REUSE Act of 2025, which directs the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a comprehensive report on the feasibility and best practices of reuse and refill systems in the United States. The report would assess the economic and environmental impacts of these systems, including job creation potential, government requirements, and barriers to broader implementation.
“There is clear bipartisan interest in solutions to address the plastic pollution crisis. Movement toward reuse and refill systems is good news for our communities, health, and oceans,” said Christy Leavitt, senior campaign director at Oceana. “Oceana applauds the Senate for saying ‘yes’ to expanding research on reuse and refill systems, and especially Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Shelley Capito (R-West Virginia) for their bipartisan leadership to spearhead this bill. Reusable and refillable systems are a proven, sustainable solution to reduce single-use plastic — and polling shows the vast majority of American voters support reusable packaging and foodware. Now the House must keep up this bipartisan momentum to introduce and pass the REUSE Act to help move our country toward a future with less plastic pollution.”
In February 2025, Oceana released the results of a nationwide poll showing that 85% of U.S. voters support increasing the use of reusable packaging and foodware.
Background
Plastic has been found in every corner of the world and has turned up in drinking water, beer, salt, honey, and more. It’s been found in the air we breathe and the water we drink and it’s even showing up in our bodies, including blood, lungs, heart, and breast milk. Plastic poses environmental and public health threats at every stage from extraction and production to use and disposal. It’s also one of the greatest contributors to climate change. In fact, if plastic were a country, it would be the fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. With plastic production growing at a rapid rate, increased amounts of plastic can be expected to flood our blue planet with devastating consequences.
A 2020 Oceana report revealed evidence of nearly 1,800 animals from 40 different species swallowing or becoming entangled in plastic in U.S. waters between 2009 and early 2020. Of those animals, a staggering 88% were from species listed as endangered or threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act.
Less than 6% of plastic in the U.S. is recycled, yet the plastics industry continues to tout recycling as a panacea while pushing new plastic products onto the market. Companies need to dramatically reduce the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic, provide plastic-free choices, and develop systems that refill and reuse packaging and foodware. Elected officials must enact policies to ensure they do so.
In February 2025, Oceana released the results of a nationwide poll revealing that an overwhelming majority of U.S. voters support policies that reduce single-use plastics. Overall, 81% of U.S. voters support reducing the amount of plastic that is produced. The national online poll, conducted for Oceana by the nonpartisan polling company Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®, surveyed 1,111 registered U.S. voters from December 13 to 15, 2024.
Included among the key findings:
- 80% of U.S. voters support state and local policies that reduce single-use plastic foam.
- 78% of U.S. voters support national policies that reduce single-use plastic foam.
- 80% of U.S. voters support requiring companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging and foodware.
To learn more about Oceana’s campaign to stop plastic pollution, please visit usa.oceana.org/plastics.
