Hold producers accountable for the packaging they send into our state

The bill that adds consumer brand owners as those responsible for funding the recycling and management of consumer packaging in our state has passed the committee hurdles. Washington is one step closer to becoming the fifth state to pass an extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for packaging. Consumer brand companies are responsible for the packaging they send into California, Oregon, and British Columbia–let’s make sure Washington residents aren’t left out!

The Washington Recycling and Packaging (WRAP) Act bills, HB 1131 and its companion SB 5154, continue to mirror each other after committee amendments in each chamber; however, it appears the House version will be the vehicle that the Legislature will focus on. Thirty-three legislators have signed on to sponsor this game-changing policy—AWC greatly appreciates their leadership.

The bill is complex, and it needs to be to ensure that the new producer-funded program can coexist and coordinate with those currently responsible for managing all this packaging –local governments and solid waste collection and processing companies operating in this state. We also need to ensure producers are held accountable to meet recycling collection targets, and that the plan they submit to Ecology for review ensures that all residents of our state can recycle as easily as they can purchase.

For all of those who attended City Action Days, hopefully you had a chance to share the following handouts with your legislators (they went like hot cakes!):

• WRAP Act handout with key provision
• Benefits of the WRAP ACT for local government fact sheet
• WRAP ACT EPR outreach fact sheet

There are two ways you can support the WRAP Act to pass the House by the March 8 deadline:

1. Send your comments and your position on this bill directly to members in your legislative district by commenting here.
2. Use our legislative directory to reach out to your House delegation and send them links to the above handouts.

Talking points:

• Every state study in recent memory points to EPR for packaging as the solution to modernize our recycling system.
• This bill has been worked and reworked by stakeholders over the last few years. It’s not perfect but it reflects compromises on all sides. It’s ready.
• On behalf of cities across the state and the residents who fund our recycling system, we ask you to carry this proposal across the finish line in 2023.