Environmental policy changes highlighted by producer responsibility for packaging law

Culminating many years of work, the Legislature finally passed a comprehensive producer responsibility system for consumer product packaging in 2025. AWC has long supported the policy to shift the cost of recycling and curbside service from residents to the companies that make packaging decisions. This will directly reduce monthly recycling bills for consumers and place the responsibility with the entities who have decisionmaking control over the packaging design, which directly relates to cost and feasibility of recycling. Despite continued heavy opposition to the proposal from the waste and refuse industry, the legislation finally passed and promises to increase the state’s recycling rates and provide new curbside recycling service to over 500,000 people. Washington is the seventh state to enact such a law.

Starting August 1, 2025, cities will face new requirements to purchase specific cart and lid color requirements for all solid waste collection—recycling, organics, and garbage—at the end of the useful life of existing containers. We are grateful the Legislature agreed that it was reasonable to phase this requirement in rather than mandating significant new purchases to meet the requirement.

Finally, the legislature also took action on two other environmental issues. One ensures that wastewater spills are reported in a more publicly available way and the other requires testing of biosolids for PFAS.