Olympia, Wash. — Washington has become the seventh state in the nation to implement a packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, marking a significant change in recycling policies. Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5284 into law on Saturday, which he described as the “biggest overhaul of our recycling system in decades.” The new legislation is set to enhance recycling efforts across the state in alignment with similar programs established in California and Oregon.
The recently passed Recycling Reform Act introduces an EPR framework for various types of paper and packaging materials, establishing a statewide recycling collection list and ensuring that all households with curbside trash services will receive curbside recycling. Ferguson noted the bill’s potential to extend recycling services to hundreds of thousands of new households, significantly increasing access.
According to the law, the state’s Department of Ecology is tasked with conducting a comprehensive recycling needs assessment, which must be completed by December 31, 2026. This assessment will guide future updates based on new data collected by December 31, 2027.
Producers are required to reimburse waste service providers for 90% of the costs associated with the recycling system. A producer responsibility organization is expected to develop, finance, and oversee the program, with the Department of Ecology in charge of monitoring its implementation. Payments will be phased in, increasing from 50% by February 15, 2030, to 90% by 2032.
Certain exemptions are included in the legislation. For instance, specific types of food and medical packaging can be excluded, as well as materials for which a producer can demonstrate a recycling or reuse rate of 65% for three consecutive years—this threshold rises to 70% by 2030.
For those seeking reimbursements, service providers must register with the Department of Ecology, and materials recovery facilities (MRFs) handling more than 25,000 tons annually will be required to adhere to minimum compensation standards for workers starting in 2028.
The implementation timeline outlines several critical dates. By January 1, 2026, producers must appoint one or more producer responsibility organizations, and the Department of Ecology will need to establish an EPR advisory council the same day. Key milestones include facilitating service provider registrations by January 31, 2026, and requiring producers to be members of a designated PRO by July 1, 2026.
Support for the EPR bill has been significant, including endorsements from Seattle Public Utilities, various local governments, and groups like Zero Waste Washington and the Northwest Product Stewardship Council. The EPR Leadership Forum, consisting of major brands such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, has also expressed its backing for the initiative.
Critics of the bill include numerous waste haulers, such as WM and Republic Services, as well as the Washington Refuse & Recycling Association. These groups have previously opposed similar legislation, arguing that the new program could increase costs for residents.
As Washington moves forward with these ambitious recycling reforms, other states continue deliberating similar EPR bills, highlighting a growing trend in environmental policy across the nation.
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