 August 2026
Programs & News – Oregon & Washington
NWPSC Lunch & Learn Webinar on Thurs, Aug. 20: E-Cycle Washington
Join the Northwest Product Stewardship Council on Thursday, August 20, 12-1 pm PT for "How Local Governments and Producer Organizations (PROs) Can Work Together to Boost Outreach: A Case Study on E-Cycle Washington." Speakers from the producer organization behind E-Cycle: Washington Materials Management and Financing Authority (WMMFA), Seattle Public Utilities, and King County Solid Waste Division will share how the partnership to raise awareness about free electronics recycling came together and what they learned, with practical tips for local governments of any size. Register here.
LightRecycle Washington Reimbursements & Rulemaking Now Open
Local governments that paid out-of-pocket for mercury light recycling between January 1 and May 31, 2026 — including counties that used and credited back LSWFA funding — can now request reimbursement (sent via ACH) by contacting MLRA at info@lightrecycle.org with the following:
- EcoLights or other mercury light recycler vendor invoice(s) to be reimbursed
- W9
- Name
- DBA (optional)
- Tax ID Number
- Address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Bank name
- Bank account number
- Routing number
- Bill of lading or certificate of recycling (may be requested)
Direct reimbursement questions to MLRA (info@lightrecycle.org), invoice questions to EcoLights (accounting@totalreclaim.com) or your vendor, and general program questions to Ecology (mercurylights@ecy.wa.gov). Also, the collection site locator map is back online. Please contact MLRA if your collection site is not listed.
Ecology is soliciting comments on draft rule language guiding implementation of Washington's collection program for mercury-containing light bulbs. This rulemaking would align the rule with new program requirements passed into law in 2024 by changing the daily bulb recycling drop-off limit, updating the agency fee, and adding new requirements for product stewardship plans.
Ecology is hosting a public meeting on August 31, 2026, at 10:00 AM, where they will provide an overview of the law and the rulemaking process and timeline. They will also present on draft rule language and will solicit comments from throughout the meeting. Register here.
Submit comments to the draft rule language by September 11, 2026, 11:59 PM.
Washington's Battery Stewardship Plan Now Open for Public Comment
The Washington Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on a proposed Battery Stewardship Plan submitted by The Battery Network, developed under the state's Battery Stewardship Law. The plan outlines how the producer-funded program will expand its existing rechargeable batteries program to include primary batteries beginning January 1, 2027. Local governments that currently collect batteries or are interested in becoming a collection site should review the plan. Several local governments are concerned that the proposed GreenVantage Agreement does not appropriately reimburse local governments for the demonstrable costs according to the law. The agreement also does not provide adequate indemnification, liability and insurance terms. The Program Plan’s proposed collection rate performance goal of under 4% is very underwhelming. Comments are due by August 24, 2026, and can be submitted through Ecology's public comment portal.
Recycling Reform Act: Comment on Statewide Collection Lists and Rulemaking
As part of Recycling Reform Act (RRA) implementation, Ecology has released drafts of statewide lists identifying what's accepted for residential recycling, composting, alternative collection, and public place collection.
 Image from Dept. of Ecology
The preliminary Statewide Collection Lists are a starting point. The current proposal will be used as input for the Statewide Needs Assessment, where they will be evaluated. The lists are expected to be revised and refined at multiple stages before the program begins in 2030.
While the final residential recycling list will be mandatory across the state, the residential composting list does not require the same items accepted across the state.
Ecology is also soliciting comments on draft rule language guiding implementation of the Recycling Reform Act. The Rulemaking Advisory Committee met virtually on August 19. Submit comments to the draft rule language by September 2, 2026, 11:59 PM.
Reminder: Comment on CAA's Oregon Annual Report
As a reminder, comments on Circular Action Alliance's first Oregon Annual Report for the Recycling Modernization Act (Oregon’s EPR program for packaging, paper products and food serviceware) are due to rethink.recycling@deq.oregon.gov by 5pm PT on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
CAA has launched a consultation series for development of their 2028 Program Plan – see below for events and dates.
Oregon EPR Lawsuit Paused Pending Related Ruling
A legal challenge to Oregon's EPR program from packaging company Lollicup USA has been put on hold while a federal judge first rules on a similar case brought by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), with a decision expected by the end of August, Plastics News reported. Lollicup and Oregon DEQ jointly asked the judge to pause their case until September 10, agreeing the NAW ruling is likely to shape how it proceeds. In the meantime, DEQ agreed to hold off on enforcement, and Lollicup agreed to hold off seeking an injunction.
Programs & News – Other States
Container Recycling Institute Releases 2025 DRS Redemption Rate Study
The Container Recycling Institute released its 2025 beverage container redemption rate study for the ten U.S. deposit-return system (bottle bill) states. Connecticut's rate jumped 27 percentage points (65% to 92%) following recent program modernizations, while Maine saw a 5% decline and the remaining eight states showed little change. CRI points to Connecticut's upgrades — along with ongoing overhauls in Maine and Vermont and new redemption infrastructure grants in California — as evidence that program modernization remains key to sustained redemption rate gains.
Circular Action Alliance Passes on Maine's PRO Contract
Circular Action Alliance (CAA) said it will not submit a proposal for Maine's packaging stewardship program. CAA said the scope of the request for proposals, issued by Maine DEP on June 15, does not align with its operational practices, data standards, or the producer experience it provides under contracts in six other states. The organization said the decision reflects the RFP's scope rather than a view on Maine's program goals, and it left open the possibility of bidding on a future solicitation. Maine is the only state with an enacted packaging EPR law where CAA currently holds no role.
CalRecycle Finds Circular CRV Association's Q2 Report Incomplete
CalRecycle determined that Circular CRV Association's second-quarter 2026 quarterly report, submitted July 6, was incomplete due to inconsistencies in how capacity and budget categories were reported. Circular CRV Association submitted a revised report on August 4.
Earth Island Institute Moves to Defend California's SB 343
Earth Island Institute, on behalf of itself and its Plastic Pollution Coalition project, along with Californians Against Waste, filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit challenging SB 343, California's "truth in environmental labeling" law. The groups are seeking to defend the law after the court issued a preliminary injunction blocking its enforcement in the industry-backed suit, California League of Food Producers et al. v. Bonta.
California Court Tentatively Denies Injunction Against Textile EPR Program
A California Superior Court issued a tentative ruling denying the American Apparel & Footwear Association's (AAFA) motion for a preliminary injunction against CalRecycle in its challenge to Landbell USA's approval as the producer responsibility organization under California's Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707). AAFA argued Landbell USA didn't meet statutory requirements and that its members faced irreparable financial harm, but the court found those harms speculative and said blocking the program would disrupt statutory deadlines. If the ruling becomes final, Landbell USA will continue operating as the state's textile EPR program administrator.
NAW Files Lawsuit Challenging Colorado's Packaging EPR Law
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) filed a federal lawsuit, NAW v. Ryan, challenging Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act, along with a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to block its implementation. It's the latest step in what NAW has described as a broader effort to challenge all seven state packaging EPR laws on constitutional grounds — NAW is already a plaintiff in litigation against Oregon's and California's programs.
EU Right to Repair Law Takes Effect, But Gaps Remain
The European Union’s right-to-repair law for certain household devices went into effect July 31, covering products like washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and mobile phones. However, Fight to Repair says that as of the effective date, only four EU member states — Croatia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Finland — had formally notified the European Commission of completed transposition into national law, leaving most residents without full protections. The law also leaves coverage of some common devices, like vacuum cleaners, unclear, and excludes others, like coffee makers, entirely.
Job Posting
The Battery Network: Regional State Stewardship Manager (Washington)
Deadlines
Events & Webinars
NWPSC Lunch & Learn Webinar on Thursday August 20: E-Cycle Washington
Mercury Lights Program Rulemaking - Comment Period #1
Mattress Stewardship Program Advisory Committee
Oregon DEQ is holding two meetings for the Mattress Stewardship Program Advisory Committee. Pre-registration is required for both.
- Meeting 1: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:15 PM — Committee Orientation and Introduction to the Mattress Stewardship Program. Register here.
- Meeting 2: Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2026 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM — Annual and Budget Report Meeting, focused on the Mattress Recycling Council's 2025 Annual Report and 2027 Budget Report submitted to DEQ. Register here.
CAA Webinar: OR Program Plan 2028-2032: Materials, USCL and RecycleOn Centers
- Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Join Circular Action Alliance for a consultation webinar to inform Oregon’s 2028–2032 program plan, with a focus on Materials, Uniform Statewide Collection List (USCL) and RecycleOn Centers.
- This session is designed for local governments, recycling and waste service providers, producers and other interested parties to provide input on key program design elements that will shape Oregon’s recycling system.
- Participants will hear CAA’s proposed approach, have the opportunity to ask questions via chat and share feedback through a post-webinar survey.
- More information here
NWPSC New Member Orientation
Coast Waste Management Association (CWMA) Annual Conference
- October 7-9, 2026 | In-Person & Virtual
- More information here
Engage with the Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NWPSC). Join as an Associate, Steering Committee, or Community member.
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