The 2026 legislative session is only 60-days, but the Legislature still has the appetite to pass product responsibility bills. WR has been working with policymakers on the following product responsibility proposals:
- Post-Consumer Recycled Content (HB 2271) – Proposed legislation would require certain products and packaging to include minimum levels of post-consumer recycled content. These mandates are intended to stimulate demand for recycled materials and support recycling markets.
- Bottle Recycling (HB 1607/ SB 5502) – Lawmakers are expected to revisit bottle recycling legislation with the goal of increasing container recovery rates and reducing litter. The Washington proposal appears to be inspired from other states with similar laws that have gone into effect. If it were to pass, the bill would impose new obligations on producers and distributors to fund or manage recycling programs.
- Mattress recycling (HB 1901) – While four states have implemented mattress recycling programs relying on a point-of-sale fee funding model with measurable successes, our state’s proposal creates a producer responsibility structure. Producers will pay the recycling costs with extensive collection network requirements and agency oversight authorities beyond comparable programs in other states.
- Retail bags (HB 2233/SB 5965) – To reduce plastic bags given out by retailers, this proposal adds definitions to “film plastic,” “single-use plastic carryout bag,” and “third-party platform,” with other requirements and clarifications to retailers and even manufacturer/distributor or third party platforms.
