May 2023

Programs & News

Washington State Enacts EPR for Batteries
Governor Jay Inslee signed Washington State’s new legislation on May 11th, making Washington the 11th state – plus Washington D.C. – to enact a battery EPR law and the third behind D.C. and California to include rechargeable and single-use batteries. Washington’s law is the first to include e-mobility devices and a study on how to manage batteries embedded in products, such as electronics. This law contains all the elements of a successful program, including fees that incentivize environmental performance of covered batteries, performance goals, state-wide convenience standards, and more. Read more.

NWPSC well represented at the WSRA Conference
The NWPSC was well represented at the 43rd Annual WA State Recycling Association (WSRA) Conference last week in Yakima, WA. Besides a booth, there was a session on the Future of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) in WA (including the possibility of an EPR program for HHW) as well as a workshop about EPR – Past, Present & Future. Both had a great turnout and good discussions about EPR. Attendees became more familiar with the existing EPR programs in WA such as E-Cycle, LightRecycle, Safe Medication Return and PaintCare. They also got a deeper understanding of key elements of EPR such as the roles and responsibilities of producers, cost coverage and local government reimbursement, convenient and equitable access to collection, and EPR costs and product prices.

Colorado Appoints first PRO in the Nation for EPR for Packaging Program
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) appointed Circular Action Alliance as the first Product Responsibility Organization for Packaging EPR in the Country. The nonprofit organization, formed in 2021 in response to the enactment of the Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act, will be in charge of implementing the state’s new recycling program. Read more.

Vermont Passes First-in-the-National HHW EPR
Vermont’s household hazardous waste (HHW) bill, H.67, passed both chambers and has been sent to Governor Phil Scott’s desk for signing. The bill creates a statewide HHW EPR program, which will be managed and sustainably funded by the manufacturers of these products. Local governments will have the opportunity to participate in the program and be reimbursed by manufacturers for their cost of collection. Read more.

Maryland Passes EPR for Packaging “Study” Bill 
SB 0222 establishes a government funded needs assessment that will determine the need for new recycling collection and processing infrastructure, along with costs. The law also requires the establishment of a producer responsibility organization to coordinate producers and a separate advisory council, established by the Maryland Department of Environment that is tasked with reporting its findings and recommendations to the Governor by December 1, 2024, for consideration in 2025. This bill passed through both chambers and was signed by Governor Wes Moore on May 10th.  

Associate Member Pledge 

Associate members of the Northwest Product Stewardship Council are local, state, regional, and federal government agencies, or non-profit organizations that support the NWPSC mission and product stewardship principles. The Pledge signals your support for NWPSC's mission and that you want to be in the inner circle of information regarding NWPSC's work. If you have not yet signed the NWPSC Associate Member Pledge, please do so now.

Legislation 

Oregon

• Modernizing Oregon E-Cycles Program: HB 3220 would amend the Oregon E-Cycles EPR program to increase the scope of covered electronic products and shift DEQ's role from operations to oversight. These amendments are necessary to properly update the 2009 e-cycles program to increase administrative efficiencies while maintaining and ensuring the program’s success in the future. This bill has passed through the House and the Senate committee on Energy and Environment on May 30th 
• Update to Oregon Drug Take-Back Program: SB 411 would amend Oregon's drug take-back EPR program to add certain hospitals, medical and infectious waste incinerators to facilities at which covered drugs may be disposed. This amendment is essential to update the current pharmaceuticals law to ensure more opportunities and outlets for proper disposal. This bill was signed by the Governor on May 16th.  

Non-EPR Waste & Recycling Bills

• Foam-Free Oregon: SB 543 would prohibit the use of polystyrene foam foodware including bowls, plates, cups, lids, clamshells, or other containers and prohibit the sale of polystyrene foam packing peanuts and coolers by January 1, 2025. The bill would also prohibit the use of toxic forever chemicals in foodware containers. This bill was signed by the Governor on May 8th.  
• Enabling Reuse: SB 545 would update Oregon’s health code to enable customers to bring reusable and refillable containers for food. This bill was signed by the Governor on May 8th.  

Washington

• Battery EPR HB 5144, providing for responsible environmental management of batteries, this bill would require producers of covered batteries and battery-containing products to participate in a stewardship organization which plans and provides for battery collection and end-of-life management. This bill was signed into law by the Governor on May 11th. 
• Wind Turbines SB 5287, concerning a study on the recycling of wind turbine blades, would requires the Washington State University Extension Energy Program to conduct a study on the feasibility of recycling wind turbines blades, including consideration of an EPR program. This bill was signed by the Governor on May 4th. 
• A study on targets and community input on Washington state’s recycling system – The Governor signed the operating budget SB 5187/HB 1150 that would allocate $500,000 to conduct a recycling, reuse, and source reduction targets study and carry out a community input process on the state’s current recycling system in 2023. This will inform legislative proposals to increase recycling, reuse, and source reduction rates, including consideration of EPR for packaging and paper products.  

Non-EPR Waste & Recycling Bills

• Compostable Products HB 1033, evaluating compostable product usage in Washington, would establish a stakeholder advisory committee to make recommendations on standards for managing compostable products such as compostable bags, food containers, and serviceware to address contamination in composting facilities. This bill was signed by the Governor on May 4th.  
• Plastic Pollution HB 1085, reducing plastic pollution, would take three steps to reduce plastic waste and pollution: 1) prohibit the use of expanded or extruded plastic foam overwater structures such as docks; 2) prohibit hotels and other lodging establishments from providing personal health or beauty products in mini plastic packaging/containers and 3) require water bottle refill stations wherever a drinking fountain is required in all new buildings to reduce single-use plastic bottles. This bill was signed by the Governor on April 20th.  
  

Events & Webinars

• Packaging EPR has Arrived in the U.S. – Now What? An Ameripen Webinar Series: June 14th, July 12th ($75 for non-members) 
• 2023 U.S. Product Stewardship Forum: September 11 – 14 in Portland, OR 
• Sustainable Oregon 2023: October 9-11 in Gleneden Beach, OR. The annual Association of Oregon Recyclers (AOR) conference is an opportunity for colleagues in the recycling, waste prevention and sustainable materials management industries to connect about ideas, learn what’s on the horizon, and be inspired. Call for session proposals due June 2, 2023

Jobs and Opportunities  

• The Mattress Recycling Council is hiring for an Oregon Program Coordinator to help launch the statewide mattress recycling program created by Oregon’s 2022 mattress recycling law (SB 1576). This is a remote position; however, applicants must reside in Oregon. Ideal applicants will have experience working with Oregon’s solid waste and recycling community. For the job description and application instructions, visit https://mattressrecyclingcouncil.org/career-opportunities 

Engage with the Northwest Product Stewardship Council
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.

 

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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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