The PACK Act: A Game-Changer for Recycling Labels

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. But the FTC cannot preempt state regulations, which has created what packaging industry groups call a “patchwork” of conflicting requirements that creates compliance headaches for businesses and confusion for consumers.

“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 material meets two 60% thresholds: it must be collected by curbside recycling programs serving at least 60% of California’s population, AND be sorted into defined streams by facilities serving at least 60% of the state’s recycling programs. The intent is to ensure industry takes action to follow through on recyclability claims.

What the PACK Act Would Do

The PACK Act takes a different approach, establishing a voluntary federal standard that would preempt state laws. According to Waste Dive, the bill would amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to establish parameters for recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims, including mandatory third-party certifications.

“Americans want to do the right thing, but misleading labels make that harder,” Rep. Weber said in a statement. “The PACK Act cuts through that confusion. It’s pro-environment, pro-business, and rooted in common sense, all while holding companies accountable and giving consumers clear, honest information they can trust.”

Key provisions of the PACK Act include:

• Third-party certification requirements: All recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims on consumer packaging must be backed by accredited third-party certification bodies. This allows independent parties to verify that packaging meets industry standards and follows FTC guidance.
• Prohibition on misleading symbols: Packaging that doesn’t meet the stated parameters would be prohibited from bearing resin identification codes surrounded by chasing arrows.
• One national standard: States would be prohibited from enacting or enforcing any legal requirement that is not identical to federal requirements.
• FTC oversight with EPA input: The bill continues to vest the FTC with primary authority but calls on the agency to work with the Environmental Protection Agency and establish an advisory council of experts.

Industry Supports The PACK Act

The PACK Act has significant industry support. A coalition of packaging companies, consumer goods manufacturers, and trade associations backs the legislation, including Amcor, Anchor Packaging, Dart, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, Nestlé USA, and dozens of trade groups ranging from the Plastics Industry Association to the Biodegradable Products Institute and the Can Manufacturers Institute.

“This new framework will address concerns with the patchwork of state regulations and its negative effect on interstate commerce and consumer awareness regarding management of consumer packaging,” said Ameripen Executive Director Lynn Dyer in Weber’s press release.

Peter DePasquale, Vice President of Government Affairs at Keurig Dr Pepper, called the bill “a welcome step” toward establishing “a single, national framework for packaging claims.” He added that “by setting clear, national standards and certifications through credible third parties, this legislation helps ensure consumers receive accurate information while giving companies the consistency they need to innovate and accelerate investment in sustainable packaging solutions nationwide.”

“We believe that a federal law for the labeling of packaging for compostability, recyclability, and reusability that supports existing national labeling programs makes far greater sense than a state-by-state approach of passing related laws and will lead to more—not less—consumers properly handling flexible packaging at its end of life,” Flexible Packaging Association CEO Dan Felton said in a statement to Waste Dive.

Voluntary vs. Mandatory

A notable feature of the PACK Act is its voluntary nature. According to The Daily News of Galveston, Weber explained that “the industry came to us looking for a federal standard, and by making it voluntary we are allowing companies to choose to follow the guidelines to build consumer confidence.”

“Our hope is that when companies see consumers buying products with the PACK Act approval, they will want to join,” Weber said, suggesting that market pressure rather than mandates would drive adoption.

This approach differs significantly from California’s SB 343, which carries potential criminal penalties for non-compliance. Environmental advocates may question whether a voluntary framework will achieve the same level of accountability as mandatory state laws.

The PACK Act, which puts the power of brand decisions in the hands of consumers rather than the government, has significant implications for the future of recycling in the United States. While federal recycling legislation has yet to be passed, several state bills and growing bipartisan support in Congress for national changes indicate a shift towards more sustainable practices.

At the same time, the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides have remained unchanged since 2012, despite calls for updates. The PACK Act could pave the way for broader federal packaging rules and extended producer responsibility frameworks.

For American consumers, the implications of the PACK Act are clear. The U.S. recycling system is at a critical juncture, with the potential to reduce confusion or exacerbate it as the circular economy evolves. Current single-stream recycling methods have been criticized for their inefficiency in producing clean, well-separated materials streams, leading to high contamination rates that hinder recycling efforts.

A 2025 report by the Solid Waste Association of North America highlights the challenges posed by contamination in recycling loads, while a National Academies of Sciences report points to inconsistent and misleading packaging labels as a major cause of consumer uncertainty. Clear, nationally consistent labeling backed by third-party verification, as proposed in the PACK Act, could help address these issues and restore consumer confidence in recycling programs.

However, the road ahead for the PACK Act is uncertain, as it faces a divided legislative process in the House of Representatives. While the bill has bipartisan support and industry backing, environmental groups and state regulators may oppose federal preemption of state laws on labeling standards. Regardless of the outcome, consumers are encouraged to check with their local recycling programs to understand what materials are accepted.

Whether the PACK Act succeeds or fails, it signifies a recognition that the current packaging system is not effective. The key question moving forward is whether federal action can streamline the labeling process and improve accountability, ultimately benefiting consumers and the environment.