Two bills aimed at reducing plastic in the environment have passed the halfway mark and are moving through the opposite chamber.

Foam packaging

SB 6213, sponsored by Sen. Mona Das (D–Kent), intends to ban many forms of expanded polystyrene (EPS) products—what is commonly referred to by the brand name Styrofoam. The bill:

• Bans the sale and distribution of certain EPS food service products, coolers, and packing “peanuts” starting on June 1, 2023.
• Exempts containers for raw meat, fish, poultry, and seafood; vegetables; fruit; eggs; and for medical packaging purposes.
• Local ordinances that were not filed by April 1, 2020, and enacted as of June 1, 2020, are preempted.

Plastic bags

AWC supported the plastic bag ban bill, SB 5323, when it was introduced last session. The bill has returned and has passed out of the Senate. In order to advance, it must pass out of its policy committee this week. The language is unchanged from last session, including the dates. The bill currently preempts local carryout bag ordinances starting in 2020, except for ordinances establishing a $0.10 pass-through charge in effect as of January 1, 2019.

Dates to remember

SB 5323 is scheduled for a committee vote on Tuesday, February 25 at 3:30 pm in the House Environment & Energy Committee.

SB 6213 is scheduled for public hearing on Tuesday, February 25 at 3:30 pm in the House Environment & Energy Committee.