Two competing bills aimed at increasing Washington State’s recycling rates have been pre-filed for consideration.
House Bill 1071, sponsored by Rep. Jake Fey (D-27), and its companion Senate Bill 5058, introduced by Senator Mike Chapman (D-24), propose conducting a comprehensive statewide needs assessment to evaluate and improve the state’s existing recycling infrastructure.
Meanwhile, House Bill 1150, sponsored by Rep. Liz Berry (D-36), seeks to implement a recycling program modeled after systems in states like Minnesota. This bill would require manufacturers of packaging and packaged products to fund recycling programs, aiming to reduce landfill waste.
Several states, including Oregon, California, Colorado, Maine, and Minnesota, have already enacted similar legislation, though implementation challenges have arisen and continue to evolve.
Members of Washington Retail Association (WR) operating in multiple states have expressed concerns about adopting a program similar to those in other states. Their primary worry is that such a system might unfairly burden retailers and customers with the costs of recycling, despite retailers often having little influence over packaging design or materials.
WR urges a cautious, evidence-based approach. Washington already boasts nation-leading recycling infrastructure, and WR encourages the legislature to strengthen what works before introducing a new, untested system.
