Reducing Waste in National Parks

Summary#

This bill directs the National Park Service (NPS) Director to set up a program, within 180 days, to reduce disposable plastic products in units of the National Park System. Regional directors must carry out the program and, where feasible, eliminate the sale and distribution of water in disposable plastic products and other disposable plastics after considering a list of factors (costs and benefits, waste reduction, refill station infrastructure and operations, contract and concession issues, visitor safety, and others). Units that already did not sell bottled water may continue that practice. The bill requires a proactive visitor education strategy, consistency across park agreements, and a biennial evaluation of the program. The bill defines "disposable plastic products" to include disposable plastic beverage bottles, film plastic carryout bags, plastic foodware (including items marketed as compostable or biodegradable), and expanded polystyrene.

What it means for you#

• Park visitors: Parks will develop education so visitors know about water availability and the reasons for the program. Some parks may stop selling water in disposable plastic bottles and provide or expand bottle refill stations. Visitors may be encouraged to bring reusable containers.
• Park staff and regional directors: Must create and apply the program, work with superintendents, include the program in agreements where possible, and run a review every two years.
• Concessioners and cooperating associations: The bill requires regional directors to consider contractual and revenue impacts and to coordinate implementation with concessioner operating plans and scopes of sales.

Expenses#

The bill lists many cost-related factors to consider (infrastructure and funding for refill stations, operational costs, utilities, public health testing, and effects on concessioner revenue), but it does not provide specific funding, budgets, or cost estimates. No publicly available information on overall costs or appropriations is included in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s stated aim is to encourage reduction of disposable plastic products and, when feasible, eliminate the sale and distribution of bottled water and other disposable plastics in park units. It adds visitor education and regular evaluations to track public response, water availability, buying behavior, safety, and plastic bottle collection rates.

Opponents' View#

The bill itself lists practical concerns that must be considered, which reflect potential objections: the costs and benefits to operations, infrastructure and funding needs for refill stations, operational and health-testing costs, effects on concessioner sales and contracts, the availability and cost of reusable containers, and visitor safety if people do not carry enough water or drink unsafe surface water.