NWPSC November 2021 Newsletter

King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 11/22/2021 09:16 AM PST

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November 2021

EPR, Packaging, and Plastics

RENEW Act EPR bill in Washington State Washington needs producer responsibility (YouTube screen shot)
In the upcoming 2022 Washington State legislative session, a bill to modernize residential recycling in Washington will be introduced, called the RENEW Act. The bill builds upon SB 5022 and HB 1118 from the last legislative session and includes extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper products (PPP).

The RENEW Act would require producers to fund and coordinate a responsible statewide recycling system that increases reuse and recycling, and provides universal and convenient recycling for all residents across the state. It would also require that all packaging and paper products are reusable, recyclable, or compostable. The bill would create a circular economy for PPP in Washington, increase the amount of materials that are collected and recycled responsibly, create new markets by requiring producers to use the materials in new products and packaging, enhance the domestic processing infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gases, and create new jobs in Washington.

To learn more about the RENEW Act, WSRA is hosting two free webinars discussing the legislation: 

Oregon and Maine pass Packaging EPR laws
Oregon passed the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582) this summer, with recycling program changes starting in July 2025. This new law will update Oregon’s outdated recycling system by building on local community programs and leveraging the resources of producers to create an innovative system that works for everyone. Fact sheets, a timeline, discussion video and more are available on the Oregon DEQ website. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition created a detailed summary of the law. And Waste Dive covered the news of the law's passage.

Maine passed LD 1541, an act to support and improve municipal recycling programs and save taxpayer money, this summer. The law establishes an EPR program for packaging, requires producers of products to pay into a fund based on the amount and the recyclability of packaging associated with their products, and these funds will be used to reimburse municipalities for eligible recycling and waste management costs, make investments in recycling infrastructure, and help Maine citizens understand how to recycle. Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection has begun stakeholder outreach and will initiate rulemaking by December 2023. The Boston Globe and the Natural Resource Council of Maine covered the news, while Resource Recycling compared and contrasted the Maine and Oregon laws. 

Washington batteries EPR bill
An EPR bill for batteries that would establish a battery stewardship program to ensure proper handling, recycling, and end-of-life management of used batteries will be introduced in Washington State's 2022 legislative session. The bill would increase collection, reuse, and recycling of batteries, and reduce the safety risks for waste management workers and facilities. Batteries are a concern because of the toxic or corrosive materials they contain, but also because improper disposal can lead to fires at in waste management trucks and facilities. Washington previously considered, but did not pass, a battery bill in 2013. Learn more about the bill at the WSRA Fall Policy Forum December 2.

Existing EPR programs in Oregon and Washington

Both states already have multiple producer responsibility programs for certain products, which offer convenient, safe, recycling or disposal: PaintCare in both states, electronics recycling by Oregon E-Cycles and E-Cycle Washington, mercury-containing lights in Washington, drug take back or safe medication return in Oregon and Washington, solar panels in Washington, and now Oregon's packaging EPR recycling modernization act. 

Events & Webinars

Engage with the Northwest Product Stewardship Counciltwitter icon 30x30
Add your voice and join the Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NWPSC) as an Associate, Steering, or Community member.
Follow the NWPSC on Twitter (@StewardshipNW) for product stewardship information from Washington, Oregon and elsewhere.

Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NWPSC)The Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NWPSC) is a coalition of government agencies in Washington and Oregon working on solid waste, recycling, resource conservation, environmental protection, public health and other issues. Together with non-government agencies, businesses and individuals, we form a network that supports product stewardship and extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies and programs. For more information, contact info@productstewardship.net or visit us at www.ProductStewardship.net.

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