Washington Joins the EPR Movement: A Major Milestone for U.S. Recycling
Washington state has just made a landmark move by becoming the seventh U.S. state and the final West Coast state to adopt an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law for packaging. Signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson, the Recycling Reform Act is being hailed as the most significant overhaul of the state’s recycling system in decades. The legislation, years in the making, mandates that producers of most paper and packaging materials cover up to 90% of the costs of recycling their products. This cost-sharing will be phased in gradually, reaching full implementation by 2032. It also establishes a statewide recycling collection list, mandates curbside recycling access for homes with trash service, and includes specific provisions for data reporting and fair labor standards for recycling facility workers.
Backed by a strong coalition of environmental groups, local governments, and major consumer brands like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Walmart, the bill aims to increase recycling rates, reduce landfill waste, and create a more equitable, transparent recycling system. Notably, the law exempts certain medical and food packaging, and rewards producers that demonstrate high reuse or recycling rates. Despite pushback from major waste haulers and trade associations concerned about cost impacts, the law is seen as a critical step toward closing the recycling gap and modernizing the nation’s waste infrastructure. With EPR bills gaining momentum in states like New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, Washington’s move may just be the tipping point for nationwide reform.
Source: Packaging Dive
