Green programs
shouldn’t put you
in the red.
Washingtonians are diligent recyclers…
But some want to take advantage of our values of environmental stewardship. In the Washington legislature, misguided bills push outdated bottle return schemes and hand over our already successful recycling system to the very packaging companies that continue to produce hard-to-recycle materials in the first place. The result? Higher costs and more hassle for Washington families who are already stretched thin.
HB 1150/SB 5284 and HB 1607/SB 5502
would make recycling…
MORE EXPENSIVE
Recycling in Washington is already affordable—just $8–$12 a month for curbside service, on average. But these bills will change that, slapping a regressive 10-cent tax on every beverage container and replacing our current recycling system with one that allows packaging companies to “pay to pollute” without any mandate to change the materials they use in their products. Consumers will bear the burden as packaging companies pass down increased costs, driving grocery bills up by $36–$57 every month for a family of four for this program alone.
LESS CONVENIENT
Washingtonians have a long and proud tradition of recycling. Our regulated curbside system makes the process easy and affordable for residents to continue this important tradition. These bills would add additional burdens to everyone, asking them to gather, store, and deliver bottles to drop-off locations, in addition to using curbside recycling.
LESS SAFE
Bottle deposit centers are being closed in Portland due to safety concerns and quality of life, with the program being criticized as a “sweet payday for their clients” organized by “corporate lobbyists.”
LESS IMPACTFUL
The European Union and Canada have tried producer-driven recycling programs, but recycling rates for covered products have stalled or even declined. Despite years of these programs, packaging companies in those countries still use hard-to-recycle materials. Meanwhile, no such programs are currently in place anywhere in the United States.
Build on what works
After decades of success in recycling and waste reduction, our state has the opportunity to go even further—protecting both our environment and our wallets. With practical, common-sense, and bipartisan steps, we can strengthen our leadership as a national recycling model.
HB 1071/SB 5058 would:
Initiate Needs Assessment
Our state’s next steps should focus on real local needs, using data to guide waste reduction and recycling improvements. Smart planning starts with understanding what works and where to invest.
Expand Recycled Content Requirements
A 2021 Washington law required certain packaging to include recycled content—and it’s already making a difference. A state taskforce has recommended the next packaging types to include in this successful program, enforced by fines to support compliance. If adopted, curbside recycling systems will collect less waste and more reusable materials.
Show Truth in Labeling
We all want to recycle more, but current labeling is confusing and often misleading. We can better support consumers already working hard every day to recycle by updating labeling standards.
Low-Income Assistance
Reduce barriers for solid waste collection companies to provide low-income assistance programs for recycling and other collection services.
Pursue Producer Accountability
Washington consumers can’t go green alone—packaging manufacturers must step up to reduce waste and improve recyclability.
Washington already has a convenient, affordable, and effective recycling system. Tell your state representative that we can increase recycling without increasing consumer costs.
❌ SAY NO to HB 1150/SB 5284 & HB 1607/SB 5502
✅ SAY YES on HB 1071/SB 5058
