Washington state legislature introduces bills to create recycling refund program for beverage containers

The Coalition for High Performance Recycling (CHPR) has voiced its support for the introduction of Senate Bill 5502 and its House companion bill 1607 in the Washington state legislature. The bipartisan bills, introduced by Sens. June Robinson (D-Everett) and Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Reps. Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver) and Kevin Waters (R-Stevenson), would create a recycling refund program for beverage containers in Washington state. 

The CHPR is a diverse group of consumer brands, environmental nonprofits, material manufacturers, packaging suppliers and trade associations that include The Recycling Partnership, Tri-Arrows Aluminum, the Aluminum Association, the Association of Plastic Recyclers, Ball Corp. and New Belgium Brewing Co., seeking to improve recycling systems across the country by promoting policies that include extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper products and recycling refunds (RR), or deposit return systems or “bottle bills,” for beverage containers. The CHPR says this collaborative approach advances a circular economy through a more efficient and sustainable recycling model, benefiting the economy and environment. 

S.B. 5502 was introduced to the Washington Senate Jan. 27 and referred to Environment, Energy & Technology. That was followed by a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology Jan. 29.  

H.B. 1607 was introduced to the House Jan. 27 and referred to Environment & Energy, where it’s scheduled for a public hearing Feb. 3.  

The text of S.B. 5502 reads in part, “The legislature finds that Washington's current recycling system does not collect and recycle the majority of the 3.8 billion glass, plastic and metal beverage containers put onto the market each year to their highest and best use in order to optimize the economic and environmental benefits of recycling for Washington residents.  

“The legislature recognizes improved recycling for beverage containers will help the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce litter and specifically plastic pollution, expand opportunities for reusable containers and support state and regional 15 businesses to build a circular economy.” 

The legislation would set out requirements for producer and recycling refund producer responsibility organization (PRO) registration, producer responsibilities, PRO responsiblities and Department of Ecology responsibilities. It also outlines requirements for a recycling refund program and consumer education plan, a recycling refund advisory council, a convenience standard, requirements for redemption and retail sites and more.  

The legislation would set a refund value of 10 cents for every beverage container sold or offered for sale in Washington.   

“These recycling refund bills, combined with the extended producer responsibility legislation sponsored by Rep. Berry (D-Seattle) [H.B. 1150] and by Sen. Lovelett (D-Anacortes) [S.B. 5284], will bring a critically important recycling system to Washington and be part of the solution to stagnant and underperforming recycling rates, and the growing need for waste reduction,” says Dylan de Thomas, CHPR member and vice president of public policy and government affairs for The Recycling Partnership, which is based in Washington. “This will lead to higher recycling rates and create a more circular and sustainable economy. CHPR applauds this legislation and urges lawmakers to support efforts to modernize Washington’s recycling system.” 

An earlier attempt at establishing EPR in Washington state stalled in 2023 when the Washington Recycling and Packaging Act (WRAP Act) failed to advance, missing the state legislature’s March 8, 2023, deadline to pass bills in their house of origin.