Every day, countless individuals across the United States dutifully rinse bottles, flatten boxes, or discard plastic containers into recycling bins. These actions reflect a shared hope that these materials will be efficiently processed and reused. However, the reality is frequently disappointing.

Despite widespread efforts, many recyclable items often do not reach their intended destinations. Instead, they fall victim to inefficiencies within the recycling system.

This challenge presents a rare bipartisan opportunity for Congress to revamp America’s recycling infrastructure.