Legislators have introduced a significant number of bills this session aimed at addressing climate and environmental concerns. WR is closely monitoring all relevant legislation that would affect retailers. The following are the most impactful this week include:
Bottle Recycling: HB 2144 – Authorizes beverage distributors of certain beverage containers to operate a deposit return system that establishes a 10 cent refund value for containers.
WRAP Act: HB 2049 – Requires producers of certain paper products and packaging (PPP) to participate in and a recycling program and specified recycling-related activities.
These bills affect retailers because they create more questions than answers, including who is responsible for recycling or properly disposing of packaging and containers and how?
Solutions – Bolster the already expansive and successful private and public recycling and waste management systems in Washington. Our state is nearly at a 50% rate – making us 17th in the country. Conduct a full county-by-county needs assessment for infrastructure and demand so enhancements can be efficiently deployed.
Organic waste management: HB 2301 / SB 6180 A statewide comprehensive plan to reduce methane production through organic food management with gradual implementation dates that includes statewide composting and other requirements that impact grocers and implications for all food products.
WR has concerns about the feasibility of some of the mandates’ implementation dates that impact grocers, and the overall scheme’s focus on composting without considering alternative food management mechanisms in development.
Fast Fashion: HB 2068 & SB 5965 Would require certain fashion retailers and manufacturers to disclose environmental due diligence policies, processes, performance targets, and outcomes.
WR is opposed to the legislation because the global nature of the fashion supply chain poses significant challenges in establishing, tracking, and disclosing information effectively. Given the complexities involved, WR encourages addressing legislation of this nature at the federal level.
