MI Congresswoman Haley Stevens Announces Relaunch Of Bipartisan Congressional Recycling Caucus.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) announced the relaunch of the bipartisan Congressional Recycling Caucus. Stevens will serve as Co-Chair of the Caucus with Representatives David P. Joyce (R-OH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Marinette Miller-Meeks (R-IA). Founded in 2006, the Recycling Caucus champions policies that boost both the economy and the environment, tackle persistent challenges in managing recyclable materials, and cement U.S. leadership in the global circular economy .

Right now, the U.S. recycles just 21% of recyclable materials, with only 43% of households participating and 37% of multi-family units having access to recycling at all. Hitting the Environmental Protection Agency’s target of a 50% national recycling rate by 2030 will take a major investment to bring America’s recycling into the modern era. 

The Caucus will continue its mission to advance policies that highlight the economic and environmental benefits of robust recycling initiatives, address challenges in the use and management of recyclable materials, and strengthen America’s global leadership in the circular economy.

Rep. Haley Stevens has been at the helm of the Recycling Caucus since the 117th Congress, bringing a track record of turning big ideas into action. She founded the Plastic Solutions Task Force, authored the Unearth America’s Future Act to boost recycling in critical material supply chains, and co-chairs the Aluminum caucus, championing pro-growth, pro-recycling policies for one of the most reused materials on earth. 

As Chair of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, Stevens made history by convening the first Science Committee hearing on recycling in a decade, spotlighting local challenges in southeast Michigan. In 2019, Stevens scored a unanimous House vote for her amendment directing the EPA to prioritize funding for a national recycling strategy—pressure that helped push the agency to release its draft strategy in 2020 and finalize it in 2021.She’s also kept recycling in the national conversation by introducing  H. Res. 350 to recognize a global Remanufacturing Day, showcasing the role of remanufacturing in sustainable manufacturing. 

Rep. Stevens’s proven track record positions her to help drive the Caucus’s mission—moving federal policy toward a recycling system that works for communities, manufacturers, and the environment alike.

“Recycling is much more than just the blue bin — it’s key to protecting our environment, strengthening Michigan manufacturing, and powering local economies,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “In Michigan alone, the industry generates nearly $5 billion annually and supports thousands of good-paying jobs across sectors. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Recycling Caucus, I’m committed to advancing circular solutions for everything from industrial metals to plastics to hard-to-reach recyclables.”

The Caucus’s Co-Chairs underscored the importance and opportunity of improving America’s recycling systems. 

Rep. David P. Joyce (D-OH): “Recycling is a critical tool for reducing pollution in our environment while also contributing to the job market and economy. The national recycling rate is barely over thirty percent, largely because rural communities lack access to recycling infrastructure, which prevents them from participating in the circular economy. As Co-Chair of the Recycling Caucus, I plan to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance initiatives focused on expanding access to recycling in rural communities in OH-14 and across the country, as well as continuing to educate policymakers on Capitol Hill about the benefits of the process.”

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME): “The U.S. generates over 292 million tons of household and commercial waste every year, yet only 32% is recycled. That’s a huge problem—and exactly why having a bipartisan Recycling Caucus is so important,” said Pingree, a longtime champion of smart recycling policies. “Through my work as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee and as Chair and Founder of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus, I’ve seen how smart recycling policies can reduce waste, create jobs, and prevent pollution. We have the resources and expertise to be a global leader in recycling, but we have to have the political will to take on that responsibility. I’m very much looking forward to working with my colleagues to make that case to the American people—and to create the kinds of policies that put us on the cutting edge of sustainability.”

Rep. Marinette Miller-Meeks (R-IA.): "I’m proud to join the bipartisan House Recycling Caucus because Iowa’s farmers, families, and businesses know the value of using resources wisely," said Miller-Meeks. "Strengthening America’s recycling infrastructure isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for our economy and national security. By improving access and innovation in recycling, we can reduce waste, create jobs, support American manufacturers who rely on these materials, and keep more of our supply chain here at home instead of overseas. This will help decrease our reliance on foreign sources of primary materials and ensure our communities thrive for generations to come."

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