Two bills with environmental goals and a nexus to cities make it through the gauntlet and head to the Governor’s desk.
Recycling and waste prevention
SB 5022 started out proposing to make producers responsible for product packaging that ultimately becomes a burden for local governments
to manage at end of life. SB 5022 quickly turned into a bill focused on requiring recycled content for some plastic packaging, banning the most ubiquitous foam products (ice chests, food service products, and packing peanuts), and
reducing single-use food service products – and had a wild ride to finish line. The proposal as passed the House needs the Senate’s concurrence before it can be signed into law.
The bill does not solve the market crisis nor the underlying problem of the recycling system but that was never the intention.
The bill does not solve the market crisis nor the underlying problem of the recycling system but that was never the intention. It does tick off a handful of policy recommendations to address plastics in our state and provides some accountability to producers who have already set corporate recycled content goals. However, far more reform is needed to relieve ratepayers of the disconnect between producers and the waste they create. Transforming
Washington’s recycling system for the 21st Century is going to require that producers step up and take responsibility for what they put on the market. SB 5022 starts us down that path.
Community trees and climate change
After nearly hitting the target last year, HB 1216 claims victory this session. The goal of the bill
remains unchanged: to revitalize and modernize the decade-plus old urban and community forestry program. The bill directs the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to do several things, but perhaps most important to cities is the statewide tree
canopy inventory. DNR must analyze the needs and opportunities of urban forestry in Washington by assessing tree canopy cover and urban forestry inventory data and completing a statewide inventory. DNR must maintain and periodically update inventory
data. This will be an important tool as cities look to mitigate climate impacts.
For the avid readers out there, you may recall there was a proposed amendment that would allow a property owner to opt out of a city’s tree program with notice to the city. Unfortunately, this provision survived.