Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act

Richard J. Durbin

Democrat · IL · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Alex Padilla (D-CA)· 2026-03-25
• Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)· 2026-03-25
• Christopher Murphy (D-CT)· 2026-03-25
• Cory A. Booker (D-NJ)· 2026-03-25
• Edward J. Markey (D-MA)· 2026-03-25
• Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)· 2026-03-25
• Jeff Merkley (D-OR)· 2026-03-25
• Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)· 2026-03-25
• Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)· 2026-03-25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S1583)

2026-03-24

Source: Congress.gov

The bill would require the EPA to set rules limiting pollution from plastic pellets—tiny raw plastic pieces used by manufacturers to make plastic products—before they're produced and shipped. These pellets often escape during manufacturing and transportation, ending up in waterways and harming wildlife, so the bill aims to reduce that waste at the source. The rules would affect plastic manufacturers and companies that handle these materials in their supply chains.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4181 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4181 To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate certain limitations with respect to pre-production plastic pellet pollution, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 24, 2026 Mr. Durbin introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate certain limitations with respect to pre-production plastic pellet pollution, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited the ``Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act''. SEC. 2. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS FOR WASTEWATER, SPILLS, AND RUNOFF FROM PLASTIC POLYMER PRODUCTION FACILITIES, PLASTIC MOLDING AND FORMING FACILITIES, AND OTHER POINT SOURCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSPORT AND PACKAGING OF PLASTIC PELLETS OR OTHER PRE-PRODUCTION PLASTIC MATERIALS. Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this section as the ``Administrator'') shall promulgate a final rule to ensure that-- (1) the discharge of plastic pellets or other pre- production plastic materials (including discharge into wastewater and other runoff) from facilities regulated under part 414 or 463 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), is prohibited; (2) the discharge of plastic pellets or other pre- production plastic materials (including discharge into wastewater and other runoff) from a point source (as defined in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)) that makes, uses, packages, or transports those plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic materials is prohibited; and (3) the requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) are reflected in-- (A) all wastewater, stormwater, and other permits issued by the Administrator and State-delegated programs under section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342) to facilities and other point sources (as defined in section 502 of that Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)) that make, use, package, or transport plastic pellets or other pre-production plastic materials, as determined by the Administrator, in addition to other applicable limits and standards; and (B) all standards of performance promulgated under section 312(p) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1322(p)) that are applicable to point sources (as defined in section 502 of that Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)) that make, use, package, or transport plastic pellets or other pre-production plastic materials, as determined by the Administrator. <all>

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