---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 6985"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "6985"
heading: "Special study and demonstration projects on recovery of useful energy and materials"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/6985"
units:
  - "Chapter 82 — Solid Waste Disposal"
  - "Subchapter VIII — Research, Development, Demonstration, and Information"
---

# §6985. Special study and demonstration projects on recovery of useful energy and materials

- (a) **Studies—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall conduct studies and develop recommendations for administrative or legislative action on—
  - (1) means of recovering materials and energy from [solid waste](/usc/42/6903.md?p=27), recommended uses of such materials and energy for national or international welfare, including identification of potential markets for such [recovered resources](/usc/42/6903.md?p=20), the impact of distribution of such resources on existing markets, and potentials for energy conservation through [resource conservation](/usc/42/6903.md?p=21) and [resource recovery](/usc/42/6903.md?p=22);
  - (2) actions to reduce waste generation which have been taken voluntarily or in response to governmental action, and those which practically could be taken in the future, and the economic, social, and environmental consequences of such actions;
  - (3) methods of collection, separation, and containerization which will encourage efficient utilization of facilities and contribute to more effective programs of reduction, reuse, or [disposal](/usc/42/6903.md?p=3) of wastes;
  - (4) the use of Federal procurement to develop market demand for [recovered resources](/usc/42/6903.md?p=20);
  - (5) recommended incentives (including Federal grants, loans, and other assistance) and disincentives to accelerate the reclamation or recycling of materials from [solid wastes](/usc/42/6903.md?p=27), with special emphasis on motor vehicle hulks;
  - (6) the effect of existing public policies, including subsidies and economic incentives and disincentives, percentage depletion allowances, capital gains [treatment](/usc/42/6903.md?p=34) and other tax incentives and disincentives, upon the recycling and reuse of materials, and the likely effect of the modification or elimination of such incentives and disincentives upon the reuse, recycling and conservation of such materials;
  - (7) the necessity and method of imposing [disposal](/usc/42/6903.md?p=3) or other charges on packaging, containers, vehicles, and other manufactured goods, which charges would reflect the cost of final [disposal](/usc/42/6903.md?p=3), the value of [recoverable](/usc/42/6903.md?p=18) components of the item, and any social costs associated with nonrecycling or uncontrolled [disposal](/usc/42/6903.md?p=3) of such items; and
  - (8) the legal constraints and institutional barriers to the acquisition of land needed for [solid waste management](/usc/42/6903.md?p=28), including land for facilities and [disposal](/usc/42/6903.md?p=3) sites;
  - (9) in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Agriculture, agricultural waste management problems and [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), the extent of reuse and recovery of resources in such wastes, the prospects for improvement, Federal, [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31), and local regulations governing such [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), and the economic, social, and environmental consequences of such [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19); and
  - (10) in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of the Interior, mining waste management problems, and [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), including an assessment of existing authorities, technologies, and economics, and the environmental and public health consequences of such [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19).
- (b) **Demonstration—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) is also authorized to carry out [demonstration](/usc/42/6903.md?p=2A) [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) to test and demonstrate methods and techniques developed pursuant to [subsection (a)](#a).
- (c) **Application of other sections—** [Section 6981(b)](/usc/42/6981.md?p=b) and (c) of this title shall be applicable to investigations, studies, and [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) carried out under this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–272, title II, § 8005, as added Pub. L. 94–580, § 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2837.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 3253a of this title, prior to the general amendment of the Solid Waste Disposal Act by Pub. L. 94–580.

### Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain enforcement functions of Administrator or other official of Environmental Protection Agency under this chapter to Federal Inspector, Office of Federal Inspector for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, and subsequent transfer to Secretary of Energy, then to Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, see note set out under section 6903 of this title.