"If you've ever stood at your recycling bin wondering whether a package's chasing arrows symbol means you can actually recycle it, you're not alone. A new bill in Congress, the PACK Act, aims to change that. On December 18, U.S. Representative Randy Weber (R-Texas) introduced the Packaging and Claims Knowledge Act (PACK Act), a bill that would establish the first federal framework for recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims on consumer packaging. The bill faces a long road in Congress, but it represents a potential bipartisan path to a more mature recycling system."
"According to a McKinsey & Company survey, two-thirds of consumers are not confident they know which products are recyclable. Nearly half of Americans incorrectly believe plastic bags can go in curbside recycling bins, according to research by The Recycling Partnership. A Patchwork of Confusion The current landscape of packaging labels in the United States is a regulatory maze. The Federal Trade Commission's Green Guides, last updated in 2012, provide guidance on environmental marketing claims but lack the force of law."
""Retailers, consumer packaged goods companies, and their suppliers are facing a patchwork of state laws related to making recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims on packaging," explains Ameripen, the packaging industry trade group that has championed the PACK Act. "This is leading to interstate commerce issues for businesses and causing consumer confusion on how to dispose of packaging." California's SB 343, set to take effect in October 2026, is among the most stringent state-level approaches. Under this "Truth in Labeling" law, packaging cannot display the familiar chasing arrows or other recyclability claims unless the"
Representative Randy Weber introduced the Packaging and Claims Knowledge Act (PACK Act) to establish a federal framework for recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging claims. Consumer surveys show widespread uncertainty about what is recyclable and common misperceptions, such as placing plastic bags in curbside bins. The current system relies on the FTC's Green Guides from 2012, which lack the force of law and cannot preempt varying state rules, creating a patchwork of conflicting requirements. Industry groups say the patchwork causes interstate commerce challenges and consumer disposal confusion. California's SB 343 will further restrict recyclability claims beginning October 2026.
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