OLYMPIA, Wash. – A new law aimed at improving solid waste management in Washington is moving through the legislature.
Proponents say Senate Bill 5284 highlights the lack of convenient and affordable curbside recycling options for residents, especially in rural areas and multifamily residences. It would call on producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, from design to disposal. This includes implementing curbside recycling programs to make recycling more accessible and affordable statewide.
Kristoff Mayer, policy coordinator for the Washington State Labor Council AFL-CIO, testified during the bill’s public hearing in the State Senate. She said the proposed mandate would lead to better waste management practices.
“This bill will extend curbside recycling service to over half a million new households and improve the efficacy of the state’s recycling system. This bill also creates green local jobs, building the facilities to manage additional recyclable materials, driving the trucks to collect recycling and sorting the materials at recovery facilities.” Mayer said to the House Committee on Environment & Energy on March 17.
Kennewick Senator Matt Boehnke opposes the bill saying it would shift financial responsibility from cities and counties to producers.
“Instead of making recycling more efficient, this very complex bill creates a costly bureaucracy that burdens small businesses with higher costs of doing business,” Boehnke said in a release. “Food prices are already sky high, and this bill would drive them even higher, hurting families.”
The senator also raised concerns about the control and power given to unelected officials through the producer responsibility organization (PRO) system. He stated, “This is bad policy and bad for Washington’s economy.”
The bill was a contentious issue in the State Senate, but it passed with a 27-22 vote.
The House Committee on Environment and Energy on March 1 will decide how to proceed with the bill following the public hearing March 17.
