Washington SB 5058: Implementing strategies to achieve higher recycling rates within Washington's existing solid waste management system.

Bill Text

AN ACT Relating to implementing strategies to achieve higher 1
recycling rates within Washington's existing solid waste management 2
system; amending RCW 70A.245.020, 70A.245.030, 70A.245.010, and 3
81.77.195; reenacting and amending RCW 43.21B.110; adding new 4
sections to chapter 70A.245 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 70A 5
RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:7
PART 18
INTENT9
NEW SECTION. Sec. 101. INTENT. (1) The legislature finds that:10
(a) Washington state has been a leader in recycling policy, 11
reaching the goal of 50 percent recycling set by the legislature in 12
RCW 70A.205.005. The legislature further finds that, since meeting 13
the state's goal to achieve a 50 percent recycling rate, global 14
market conditions have caused the recycling rate to fall below 50 15
percent, demonstrating the dependence of recycling rates on reliable, 16
consistent recycling markets for recyclable materials;17
(b) New goals and target recycling rates must be established and 18
a comprehensive needs assessment is necessary to implement 19
S-0297.1
SENATE BILL 5058
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Chapman, Wellman, Harris, Boehnke, Cleveland, Dozier,
Krishnadasan, Liias, and Nobles
Prefiled 12/16/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Environment, Energy & Technology.
p. 1 SB 5058

improvements to Washington's existing recycling system to reach those 1
goals;2
(c) Programs, activities, or projects that reduce greenhouse gas 3
emissions from the solid waste sector, including a comprehensive 4
needs assessment, are intended to be funded from the climate 5
commitment account;6
(d) 88 percent of Washington residents living in single-family 7
homes and 77 percent living in multifamily residences have access to 8
curbside recycling services through a robust regulatory structure 9
that ensures equal access to services at affordable rates; and10
(e) The investments in infrastructure by Washington companies has 11
led to the development of materials sorting and processing superior 12
to most other states.13
(2)(a) The legislature finds that contamination in the recycling 14
stream is a major impediment to higher recovery rates.15
(b) It is the intent of the legislature to implement proven 16
strategies to address these challenges, including:17
(i) The establishment of a single statewide list of materials for 18
recyclables collected through Washington's curbside recycling system 19
to reduce confusion and increase participation;20
(ii) A robust needs assessment unique to Washington state to 21
determine costs and investments necessary to achieve a 65 percent 22
overall recycling rate for packaging;23
(iii) Study the use of recycling symbols on packaging that cannot 24
be readily recycled through Washington's recycling system; and25
(iv) The expansion of the successful recycled content 26
requirements to ensure more materials are manufactured with 27
postconsumer material.28
(3) It is the intent of the legislature that:29
(a) Producers increase the use of postconsumer recycled content 30
in their products, to achieve the goals in RCW 70A.520.010(2) and to 31
create strong markets for recycled materials and achieve 32
environmental benefits; and33
(b) Through design and innovation, producers will reduce the use 34
and climate impact of consumer packaging and paper products and 35
increase the use of postconsumer recycled content.36
(4) Finally, it is the intent of the legislature that Washington 37
should maintain the successful public-private partnership between 38
state, local government, and solid waste and recycling service 39
providers. The legislature does not intend to diminish or displace 40
p. 2 SB 5058

the primary role of the utilities and transportation commission and 1
local governments in regulating or contracting directly with service 2
providers for the curbside collection of residential recyclables. 3
Local governments maintain their existing authority to collect, 4
contract for collection with solid waste and recycling service 5
providers, or defer to solid waste collection services regulated by 6
the utilities and transportation commission.7
(5) Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to implement 8
proven strategies to address these challenges, including:9
(a) A robust needs assessment unique to Washington state to 10
determine costs and investments necessary to achieve a 65 percent 11
overall recycling rate for packaging; and12
(b) The expansion of the successful recycled content requirements 13
to ensure more materials are manufactured with postconsumer material.14
PART 215
RATES STUDY, MATERIALS LIST, AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT16
NEW SECTION. Sec. 201. DEFINITIONS. The definitions in this 17
section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly 18
requires otherwise.19
(1) "Consumable product" means a commodity that is intended to be 20
used and not dispose