Help Pass Laws

There are now 29 reusable bag ordinances at the local level in Washington.  These laws ban thin carry-home plastic bags and require a pass- through charge of 5, 8 or 10 cents for paper bags and durable, reusable plastic bags.  The charge helps incentivize people to bring their own bags.  And a statewide law passed and was signed into law on March 25, 2020. See the Legislative Work page for a factsheet about bag ordinances and the statewide bag bill.

We assist community members and provide technical assistance (and model ordinances) to city and county staff.

In the 2018 state legislative session, in partnership with a large number of public-health oriented organizations, sheriffs, doctors and others, we helped pass the first-state-in-the-nation Safe Drug Take-Back Act. This law requires that the pharmaceutical industry pay for the safe disposal of unused medications. Starting in 2020, residents across Washington State will be able to take leftover medications to big blue kiosk boxes at their local pharmacies, sheriffs’ offices and hospitals.

In 2018, Washington became the first state-in-the-nation to ban fluorinated chemicals in food packaging. Zero Waste Washington was a key partner in this effort, which was led by Toxic Free Future. The Act bans the use of the group of toxic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These nonstick chemicals are found in paper food packaging, including in microwave popcorn bags and fast food and cupcake wrappers.

Along with partners, Zero Waste Washington is hard at work promoting bills in each legislative session.  For more information and bill status: click here.