PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Congressional Research Service
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People & committees
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] · D–ME
Legislative record
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Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Oct 1, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2026-09-16 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The proposed Textile Waste Reduction Act would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and carry out a national plan to keep textiles in use longer through repair, reuse and recycling. It would coordinate federal agencies and seek advice from businesses, researchers, nongovernmental organizations and governments. The proposal would also require public data and information about available funding. Its definition of textiles excludes mattresses, furniture and reusable products designed to collect or absorb urine or feces.
This Act may be cited as the Textile Waste Reduction Act.
The Administrator shall establish and implement a national strategy, to be known as the National Textile Circularity Strategy, to advance textile circularity.
There is established an interagency group, to be known as the Interagency Working Group on Textile Circularity, to coordinate Federal activities on advancing textile circularity
the Administrator shall coordinate and collaborate with covered stakeholders
The term covered stakeholder means a representative of— (A) an industry that has expertise in textile circularity or a related field; (B) a research community that has expertise in textile circularity or a related field; (C) a nongovernmental organization that has expertise in textile circularity or a related field; (D) a State government; (E) a local government; or (F) a Tribal Government.
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
keeps textiles in circulation for as long as possible; and (B) includes textile repair, textile reuse, and textile recycling.
does not include an item, made in whole or in part from textile material, that is— (i) a reusable product designed to collect or absorb urine or feces; or (ii) a mattress or piece of furniture.
publish on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency the data described in subsection (c)(3)(B) and the municipal solid waste estimation methods
publish information about such Federal financial assistance and incentives on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency
Section 2 would direct EPA to take necessary or appropriate actions to advance textile circularity, including regulations it determines necessary to carry out the bill. EPA would have to collaborate with covered stakeholders and consider the working group’s and advisory board’s findings and activities.
The Administrator shall take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to advance textile circularity, including prescribing regulations as the Administrator determines necessary to carry out this Act.
the Administrator shall coordinate and collaborate with covered stakeholders and take into account the findings and activities of the Interagency Working Group and the Advisory Board.
EPA would have to establish and implement the national strategy, allow at least 60 days for public comment and separately solicit stakeholder input. That additional input could come through a hearing, workshop or written submissions.
The Administrator shall establish and implement a national strategy, to be known as the National Textile Circularity Strategy, to advance textile circularity.
provide an opportunity for public comment regarding the National Textile Circularity Strategy for no fewer than 60 days; and (2) in addition to providing such opportunity, solicit input from covered stakeholders, which may take the form of a public hearing, a workshop, or the solicitation of written input.
The strategy would include an assessment of the actions, data and funding needed for implementation. EPA would prepare it with states, local governments, Tribal representatives and the working group, develop a data-collection method and identify the resources needed to use that method.
The Administrator shall, in consultation with States, units of local government, Tribal representatives, and the Interagency Working Group, prepare, and include in the National Textile Circularity Strategy, a needs assessment that identifies the actions, data, and funding needed to implement the National Textile Circularity Strategy.
develop a methodology to be used by the Administrator to collect data identified as needed in the needs assessment described in paragraph (1); and (B) identify the resources needed to implement such methodology.
The assessment would identify needed textile data and include data collected by EPA, states and industry during the preceding five years. Those records would distinguish material composition or product type and track activities such as repair, recycling, burning for energy, landfilling and export.
an identification of the types of data needed to implement the National Textile Circularity Strategy, including data relating to the scope and scale of textiles, disaggregated by material composition or product type, that are landfilled, combusted to recover energy, recovered, or exported
data collected during the preceding 5-year period by the Environmental Protection Agency, States, and industry on the generation and disposition, disaggregated by material composition or product type, of textiles, including textiles that are repaired, recycled, combusted to recover energy, landfilled, or exported, for each year in such 5-year period
EPA would analyze domestic textile repair, reuse, recovery, recycling and hauling, including local activity. It would identify the entities involved and relevant federal laws, financial assistance and incentives.
an analysis of textile repair, textile reuse, textile recovery, textile recycling, and textile hauling within the United States, including at the local government level
an identification of entities involved with such textile repair, textile reuse, textile recovery, textile recycling, and textile hauling
an identification of Federal laws, and Federal financial assistance and incentives, relating to supporting textile repair, textile reuse, textile recovery, textile recycling, and textile hauling
The assessment would examine economic conditions and the potential to create or expand markets for used and recycled textiles, including potential economic effects. These are subjects for analysis, not established economic benefits.
a description of economic conditions relating to textile circularity and the potential to create or scale viable end-markets for pre-owned textiles, or textiles that are a result of textile recycling, in the States, regionally in the United States, and globally, including an analysis of the potential economic effect of such creation or scaling
EPA would analyze barriers to implementing the strategy or expanding recycling, including legal barriers and gaps in authority, and possible solutions. That analysis could address recovery and infrastructure costs, workforce needs and funding. EPA would also identify public education needs and ways to meet them.
an analysis of the barriers (including Federal, State, or local laws that present barriers, and any gaps in legal authority that present barriers) to implementation of the National Textile Circularity Strategy, or to scaling textile recycling, and potential solutions to such barriers, which may include— (i) an analysis of the cost of recovering textiles and developing any infrastructure needed to implement the National Textile Circularity Strategy or scale textile recycling; (ii) workforce needs; and (iii) funding solutions
an identification of any need by the public for education on textile circularity, and methods by which the Administrator may provide such education.
EPA would submit the strategy to Congress within two years after enactment. Within one year after that submission, and annually afterward, it would update the strategy and report on lessons from the preceding year’s implementation.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress the National Textile Circularity Strategy.
Not later than 1 year after the Administrator submits the National Textile Circularity Strategy under subsection (d), and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall— (1) update the National Textile Circularity Strategy; and (2) submit to Congress a report that includes— (A) the updated National Textile Circularity Strategy; and (B) any lessons learned from implementing the National Textile Circularity Strategy during the year prior to such report.
When EPA submits the initial strategy, it would publish the specified textile data and municipal solid-waste estimation methods online. It would update and publish the data and any revised methodology at least annually.
on the date on which the Administrator submits to Congress the National Textile Circularity Strategy, publish on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency the data described in subsection (c)(3)(B) and the municipal solid waste estimation methods; and (2) update and publish such data and any updated methodology at least once a year.
The bill would establish a federal working group. Within 225 days after enactment, the listed agencies would develop and execute a charter or similar agreement setting its goals and activities. Participants would include Energy, State, EPA, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation, Customs and Border Protection, the White House science policy office and other federal entities EPA considers appropriate.
There is established an interagency group, to be known as the Interagency Working Group on Textile Circularity
Not later than 225 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the heads of the following entities shall develop and execute a charter, memorandum of agreement, or similar mechanism to set forth the goals and activities of the Interagency Working Group: (i) The Department of Energy. (ii) The Department of State. (iii) The Environmental Protection Agency. (iv) The Federal Trade Commission. (v) The National Institute of Standards and Technology. (vi) The National Science Foundation. (vii) U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (viii) The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. (ix) Any other Federal entity that the Administrator determines to be appropriate.
Agency heads would follow or incorporate applicable Government Accountability Office collaboration practices, including requiring each working-group member to sign the agreement. Each participating agency would designate a member with authority to provide agency resources within 30 days after the agreement is executed. EPA’s representative would chair the group.
such heads shall, as applicable, follow, or incorporate into the charter, memorandum, or mechanism, the leading practices for interagency collaboration set forth by the Government Accountability Office, including that each member of the Interagency Working Group shall sign such charter, memorandum, or mechanism.
Not later than 30 days after the execution of the charter, memorandum of agreement, or similar mechanism under subsection (a)(2), the head of each of the entities listed in such subsection shall designate as a member of the Interagency Working Group any officer or employee of the entity who has the authority to provide the Federal financial assistance or incentives, personnel, administrative support, and technical services of the entity.
The Interagency Working Group shall be chaired by the member designated from the Environmental Protection Agency.
The working group would advise EPA, provide needed data and resources, share information across the federal government and develop a coordinated federal approach using common principles, definitions, data and methods. It would recommend that approach to participating agencies.
assist and advise the Administrator in developing, updating, and implementing the National Textile Circularity Strategy, including by providing data and resources identified as needed in the National Textile Circularity Strategy
facilitate the sharing of information across the Federal Government, including the White House, regarding the advancement of textile circularity across the United States
develop a strategy to coordinate Federal interagency efforts to advance textile circularity across the Federal Government, including developing a common framework across the Federal Government of principles, definitions, data, and methods related to such efforts
make recommendations to each entity listed in subsection (a)(2) regarding the strategy to coordinate Federal interagency efforts developed under paragraph (3).
The working group’s chair would report to Congress within one year after the group is established and at least every two years afterward. The advisory board would receive each draft at least 60 days before submission, and the chair would revise it as appropriate to address the board’s recommendations.
not fewer than 60 days before the Chair of the Interagency Working Group submits a report on the findings and activities of the Interagency Working Group under paragraph (3), submit to the Advisory Board a draft of such report; (2) update such report, as appropriate, to address any recommendations submitted by the Advisory Board; and (3) not later than 1 year after the date on which the Interagency Working Group is established, and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, submit to Congress such report.
The working group’s chair would establish an advisory board to provide continuing advice on federal textile activities and the national strategy, and to review draft working-group reports.
The Chair of the Interagency Working Group shall establish an Advisory Board to the Interagency Working Group, to provide ongoing advice to the Interagency Working Group on matters relating to Federal activities on textile circularity, including by— (1) providing ongoing advice on the development of, updates to, and implementation of the National Textile Circularity Strategy; and (2) reviewing the draft described in section 4(d) and making recommendations to the Interagency Working Group on such draft.
Within 270 days after enactment, the working group’s chair would establish and carry out a process seeking board nominations from working-group members and recommendations from the public. Position descriptions and qualifications would be published in advance, and people could recommend themselves.
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chair of the Interagency Working Group shall establish and carry out a process for soliciting, from the members of the Interagency Working Group and the public, any nomination or recommendation, respectively, of an individual for appointment to the Advisory Board.
include the publication of a clear description of the position on the Advisory Board, and any qualifications for such position, in advance of soliciting any nomination or recommendation of an individual for appointment to such position; and (ii) allow individuals to recommend themselves for appointment to the Advisory Board.
Board candidates would have to disclose potential or perceived conflicts of interest. The chair would establish rules for when candidates must step aside from participation or be disqualified. Appointees would need relevant expertise, and the chair would have to consider every nominated or recommended individual and ensure that membership balances scientific, industry, governmental, Tribal and geographic interests.
requirements for the disclosure by such individuals of any potential or perceived conflicts of interest; and (B) rules delineating the circumstances in which such an individual is required to be recused or disqualified.
each of whom shall demonstrate expertise on the scientific, economic, industry, or community impacts of textile circularity or a related field.
give consideration to any individual nominated or recommended for appointment to the Advisory Board; and (ii) ensure that the members of the Advisory Board represent an appropriate balance of— (I) scientific interests; (II) industry interests; (III) the interests of State and local governments and Tribal representatives; and (IV) geographical interests.
The board would have 15 voting members: two producer representatives, one retailer representative, two recycling representatives, two academics, two recovery representatives, two repair or reuse representatives, two nongovernmental organization representatives, one local-government representative and one state- or Tribal-government representative. The working group’s chair would also serve by virtue of that office, without a vote, and would appoint the board’s chair.
(A) 2 members who represent a textile producer. (B) 1 member who represents a textile retailer. (C) 2 members who represent organizations that engage in textile recycling. (D) 1 member who represents the natural sciences in academia and studies textile circularity or a related field. (E) 1 member who represents the social sciences in academia and studies textile circularity or a related field. (F) 2 members who represent organizations that engage in textile recovery. (G) 2 members who represent organizations that engage in textile repair or textile reuse. (H) 2 members who represent nongovernmental organizations that the Chair of the Interagency Working Group determines to be relevant. (I) 1 member who represents a local government in a policy or regulatory role relating to waste management or disposal, environmental regulations, or recycling. (J) 1 member who represents a State government or Tribal Government in a policy or regulatory role relating to waste management or disposal, environmental regulations, or recycling. (K) The Chair of the Interagency Working Group, who shall serve in an ex-officio capacity and be a non-voting member of the Advisory Board.
The Chair of the Interagency Working Group shall appoint 1 member of the Advisory Board to serve as the Chair of the Advisory Board.
Voting board members would serve two-year terms, with a maximum of two terms and no consecutive terms. The board would meet at least twice each year, and its chair would brief the working group as necessary or on request.
Each voting member of the Advisory Board— (A) shall be appointed for a 2-year term; (B) may be appointed to no more than 2 terms; and (C) may not be appointed to consecutive terms.
Not less frequently than twice each year, the Advisory Board shall meet at a time and place that the Chair of the Advisory Board designates, in consultation with the Chair of the Interagency Working Group.
The Chair of the Advisory Board shall brief the Interagency Working Group on the findings and activities of the Advisory Board as necessary or at the request of the Interagency Working Group.
The advisory board would terminate ten years after enactment.
The Advisory Board shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
EPA would identify available federal grants, loans, subsidies and other financial assistance and incentives supporting textile circularity efforts by states, local governments, Tribal governments and nongovernmental organizations. It would publish that information online and update it at least twice a year. This provision requires information about available assistance; it does not itself award those funds.
The Administrator shall— (1) identify Federal financial assistance and incentives, including grants, loans, subsidies, and other funding opportunities, that are available to encourage and support efforts by States, local governments, Tribal Governments, and nongovernmental organizations to advance textile circularity; (2) publish information about such Federal financial assistance and incentives on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency; and (3) update such information at least twice each year.
The bill defines textile circularity as a system for producing and managing textiles that minimizes waste, maximizes resource use and keeps textiles circulating as long as possible. It includes repair, reuse and recycling; this definition describes the policy’s aims rather than demonstrating its results.
The term textile circularity— (A) means a system of production (including design) and management of textiles that minimizes the generation of textile waste, maximizes the use of resources (such as energy or water), and keeps textiles in circulation for as long as possible; and (B) includes textile repair, textile reuse, and textile recycling.
Covered textiles would include items made wholly or partly from natural or synthetic fibers, yarn or fabric, including leather. Reusable products designed to collect or absorb urine or feces, mattresses and furniture would be excluded.
The term textile— (A) means an item made in whole or in part from textile material; and (B) does not include an item, made in whole or in part from textile material, that is— (i) a reusable product designed to collect or absorb urine or feces; or (ii) a mattress or piece of furniture.
The term textile material means natural or synthetic fiber, yarn, or fabric, including leather, cotton, silk, jute, hemp, wool, viscose, nylon, and polyester.
Recovery would mean collecting, sorting and processing textile waste for repair, reuse or recycling. Recycling would mean using recovered textiles to make new textiles; reuse would mean using a pre-owned textile without breaking it into raw materials. Textile waste would include discarded textiles and textile materials, including those discarded by industry or consumers. The bill’s definition of textile waste excludes textiles and textile materials that have been recovered.
The term recover, with respect to a textile, means the process of collecting, sorting, and processing textile waste for textile repair, textile reuse, or textile recycling.
The term textile recycling means the process of using recovered textiles as raw materials in the production of new textiles.
The term textile reuse means the use of a pre-owned textile without breaking such textile down into the raw materials of such textile.
The term textile waste— (A) means any textile or textile material that is discarded, including a textile or textile material discarded by the textile industry or a consumer; and (B) does not include a textile or textile material that has been recovered.
A textile producer would be a manufacturer that also owns or licenses the brand or trademark under which its textile is offered, distributed or sold in a covered jurisdiction. For this bill, states would include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions.
The term textile producer means a person who manufactures a textile and who owns or is the licensee of the brand or trademark under which that textile is offered for sale in, distributed for sale into, or sold in a State.
The term State means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States.
The bill distinguishes Tribal governments from Tribal representatives. A Tribal government would mean the government of an Indian Tribe. Tribal representatives would include representatives of Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, using definitions in other federal laws. Those external definitions are not supplied, so their precise coverage cannot be established here.
The term Tribal Government means the government of an Indian Tribe, as such term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
The term Tribal representative means a representative of— (A) an Indian Tribe, as such term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304); or (B) a Native Hawaiian organization, as such term is defined in section 3 of the NATIVE Act (25 U.S.C. 4352).
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated October 1, 2026, records introduction in the House and referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 16, 2026. It does not establish subsequent legislative action or enactment.
Source snapshot updated 2026-10-01T17:24:56Z. 2026-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. 2026-09-16: Introduced in House 2026-09-16: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2026-09-16. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy change attached to appropriations was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion does not establish the absence of riders in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for particular recipients or places was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish formal earmark status in accompanying materials or other versions.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
A narrow scope carve-out is identified in the supplied introduced text. Classification does not establish its monetary value or whether it is justified.
Manufacturers of reusable products designed to collect or absorb urine or feces, mattresses and furniture would have those products excluded from the bill’s definition of textiles. This is a targeted scope carve-out from the proposed textile-circularity framework; any practical advantage would depend on implementation.
The term textile— (A) means an item made in whole or in part from textile material; and (B) does not include an item, made in whole or in part from textile material, that is— (i) a reusable product designed to collect or absorb urine or feces; or (ii) a mattress or piece of furniture.
The Administrator shall take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to advance textile circularity, including prescribing regulations as the Administrator determines necessary to carry out this Act.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Oct 1, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI