; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Sec. 3. Optimized plastics recycling research and development program. Sec. 4. Lithium-ion battery recycling research and development program. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Department The term Department means the Department of Energy. (2) National Laboratory The term National Laboratory has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15801 ). (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. (4) Recyclable plastic The term recyclable plastic means plastic that is designed to be readily, economically, and efficiently recyclable or otherwise recoverable for beneficial use. (5) Critical material The term critical material means material that serves an essential function in the manufacturing of a product and has a high risk of a supply disruption, such that a shortage of such material would have significant consequences for the economic or national security of the United States. (6) Composite The term composite means plastic reinforced with fiber or particulate secondary material like bio-derived fibers, carbon fibers, glass or any other solid material. 3. Optimized plastics recycling research and development program (a) In general The Secretary shall carry out a research, development, and demonstration program to accelerate innovation in energy-efficient recyclable plastics, next-generation plastics, and composites recycling and upcycling strategies and technologies, in order to increase the economic value of plastics supply streams and to reduce the environmental impact of global plastics consumption. (b) Execution In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) develop novel collection and sorting technologies to prevent plastics and composites, including waterborne plastics, from entering landfills and the marine environment