 June 2026
Programs & News – Oregon & Washington
Mattress Collection Network Expands in Central Oregon
A new free mattress recycling drop-off location is now available at the Prineville Recycling Depot, expanding year-round access in Central Oregon. The program is part of Oregon’s mattress EPR program, operated by the Mattress Recycling Council. Funded through a point-of-sale fee, the program recovers steel, foam, fibers, and wood that are incorporated into new steel products, carpet padding, insulation, biomass fuel and other products.
LightRecycle Washington Resumes Operations
LightRecycle Washington resumed operations on June 1, 2026, under the administration of the Mercury Lamp Recyclers Association (MLRA). Collection sites are reopening across the state, and producers and retailers are working with MLRA to comply with Washington's mercury-containing light stewardship law. We hope to see the new Washington State Mercury-Containing Lights Program Plan soon as well as clarification on the costs collection sites have had to bear from February to June 2026, when the program was not operational.
 Washington Safe Medication Return Surveys Open Through July 15
Washington’s Safe Medication Return program is inviting participation in two short surveys designed to better understand awareness and use of the program and to support ongoing improvements to statewide medication return efforts. The professional survey is for people working in law enforcement or healthcare, including pharmacy and veterinary medicine, while the public survey is for anyone living in Washington. Both surveys are open through July 15. The Department of Health encourages you to complete the survey that best applies to you. Please also consider disseminating the survey information to your friends, family, and the groups you work with in Washington State.
Drug Take-Back Programs in Transition
Inmar Intelligence will end its role as operator of Washington’s Safe Medication Return program on June 30, 2026. Beginning July 1, 2026, MED-Project will assume operations as the sole operator. Inmar is also winding down similar operations in Oregon, California, and other states.
Washington's Recycling Reform Act: Producers May Petition for Location-Specific Alternative Collection
Washington’s Recycling Reform Act allows groups of producers to petition Ecology to have certain materials collected through location-specific methods other than commingled residential collection (RCW 70A.208.090(5)). Ecology has created a petition form for producers who believe their material is better suited for methods of collection such as separate curbside pickup, drop-off sites, or retail take-back in specific parts of the state. Deadline: July 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Early submissions are encouraged.
E-Cycle Washington Reports Strong 2026 Collection Totals
E-Cycle Washington collected 1.01 million pounds of TVs, computers, and monitors in May 2026, bringing year-to-date collections to 5.34 million pounds—slightly ahead of the same period in 2025. Since its launch, the program has now collected a total of 491.7 million pounds of electronics for recycling. The Materials Management & Financing Authority (MMFA) has also released updated county-level data along with the 2025 Local Government Satisfaction Report summary.
 Explore the New NWPSC Website
In April, we launched a redesigned NWPSC website, reflecting the evolution of our work and impact. The updated site makes it easier to access information about product stewardship in the Northwest.
Programs & News – Other States
California Textile Producers Face July 1 Registration Deadline
California textile producers must register with Landbell USA by July 1, 2026, as the state launches its textile EPR program. CalRecycle will also hold an informational public workshop on August 13, 2026, to gather stakeholder feedback on certain topics including definitions, online marketplaces, and PRO submittals.
The registration deadline still holds even though the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) filed a lawsuit in March against CalRecycle and Landbell USA, seeking to void the agency’s approval of Landbell USA as the PRO under SB 707. A hearing on the preliminary injunction has been set for August 7, 2026.
Maine Releases RFP for Packaging EPR Stewardship Organization
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on June 15, 2026, to select a Stewardship Organization that will administer the state’s packaging EPR program.
CAA Submits California SB 54 Program Plan
On June 15, Circular Action Alliance California submitted its program plan to the SB 54 Packaging Producer Responsibility Advisory Board. The plan outlines an approach to implementing statewide packaging EPR requirements across California’s diverse recycling and reuse system. The plan now enters a formal public comment period open through August 14. CAA has also posted the illustrative fee schedule for California.
New Lawsuits Challenge California Packaging EPR
Two new lawsuits have been filed challenging different aspects of California’s packaging EPR program. A coalition of 17 state attorneys general and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of SB 54, California’s packaging EPR law. Separately, three environmental groups—the Natural Resources Defense Council, Californians Against Waste Foundation, and Oceana—filed suit against CalRecycle in San Francisco Superior Court, challenging the agency’s final regulations implementing California’s packaging EPR law. The groups allege that certain provisions of the regulations do not fully comply with statutory requirements and include loopholes that could undermine environmental goals.
Patent Issued for Mattress Foam Recycling Process
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent to VitriCycle for a process that converts recycled mattress foam into products such as synthetic leather and shoe soles. Funded by the Mattress Recycling Council, it is the first supported project to receive a patent, with six others under review. If commercialized, it could boost demand for polyurethane foam waste and strengthen end markets as mattress recycling expands.
Colorado Governor Signs EV Battery Law
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed SB-003 into law on June 3, establishing a statewide producer responsibility framework for electric vehicle and hybrid battery management. The legislation expands the state’s Battery Stewardship Act to cover propulsion batteries and requires manufacturers to finance and implement systems for collection, reuse, repurposing, and recycling of end-of-life batteries.
Maine Enacts First Vape EPR Law
Maine became the first state to enact legislation establishing an EPR program for electronic smoking devices, including disposable vapes. Under LD 1519, manufacturers and importers will be required to finance and operate a statewide stewardship system for the collection, transportation, recycling, and end-of-life management of these products. The program addresses growing concerns over disposable vape waste, particularly devices containing lithium-ion batteries that pose fire risks and are difficult for municipal solid waste systems to manage when improperly discarded.
CAA Opens Comment on Responsible End Markets Standard
Circular Action Alliance has opened a public comment period on its draft Responsible End Markets Certification Standard, intended to support more consistent verification of end market requirements under existing and emerging EPR laws. The draft is open for input from regulators, local governments, service providers, producers, and other stakeholders through July 7, 2026.
The Recycling Partnership Releases 2026 State of Recycling Report
The Recycling Partnership has released the first installment of its 2026 State of Recycling Report, offering an in-depth look at the U.S. residential recycling system. The report will be published in installments, each focusing on a different aspect of recycling system performance, infrastructure, and market dynamics.
Job Posting
The Battery Network: Regional State Stewardship Manager (Washington)
Events & Webinars
WA Recycling Reform Act (RRA) Advisory Council Equity Subcommittee Meeting
Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Webinar: Role of Thrift Stores: Material Reuse Forum 13
- Tuesday, July 7th | 1:30 - 3:00 PM ET
- What happens to textiles when they’re donated, and how are they recycled? This Forum will explore the journey of donated textiles, from collection and processing to reuse and recycling. The session will highlight real-world practices to help attendees better understand the flow of materials and the systems behind textile recovery.
- https://www.nerc.org/role-of-thrift-stores
WA Recycling Reform Act (RRA) Statewide List Subcommittee Meeting
WA Recycling Reform Act (RRA) Advisory Council Meeting
WA Recycling Reform Act (RRA) Rulemaking: Advisory Committee Meeting #2
- The second meeting to discuss draft rule language for the Recycling Reform Act is scheduled for August 19, 1:00-4:00 PM.
- Register
Engage with the Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NWPSC). Join as an Associate, Steering Committee, or Community member.
|
