Zero Waste Washington is working hard to support strong zero waste policy during the 2025 WA legislative session, working with partner organizations and agencies. The session runs from January 13 to April 27, 2025.
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The Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284 / HB 1150 – Improving Washington’s solid waste management outcomes. Formerly, the Re-WRAP Act): This is our #1 priority bill. Championed by Senator Liz Lovelett and Representative Liz Berry, this bill would establish a product stewardship program for packaging and printed paper, including recycling and reuse targets and plastic source reduction.This bill implements a top recommendation of Ecology’s Plastics Study (October 2020) which was required by Senator Rolfes’ SB5397 in 2019 to address our recycling crisis and the increasing amount of plastic pollution. Two good fact sheets: here and here. Watch the WRAP Act press event on TVW (January 16, 2025) here (29 minutes): click here STATUS: Senate: Passed off Senate floor ( 27-22-0-0) on March 7, 2025. House: Referred to Rules 2 Review on February 28, 2025. In the House: Passed off House floor (51-45-0-2) on April 14, 2025. Senate concurred (27-21-0-0) on April 23, 2025. President and Speaker signed on April 24, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 25, 2025.
Right to Repair (SB 5423 / HB 1483 – Supporting the servicing and right to repair of certain products with digital electronics in a secure and reliable manner): Championed by Representative Gregerson and Senator Derek Stanford. This bill requires digital electronic product manufacturers, such as Apple and Microsoft, to make repair information, parts and tools available to independent repair businesses and owners. There’s a huge amount of e-waste! For example, on average, Washington disposes of 8,700 phones every day. This bill would make it possible for small businesses to repair these items. Extending the life of computers, tablets and cellphones, and appliances reduces the burden on manufacturing new products – therefore also decreasing greenhouse gas. This bill will lower costs for consumers, get used digital electronics into the hands of people who need them, and help overcome digital inequities in Washington. This way, people will keep using their items instead of tossing them! See factsheet here STATUS: SENATE: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading on February 21, 2025. HOUSE: Passed off House floor (94-1-0-3) on March 4, 2025. In the Senate: Passed off Senate floor (48-1-0-0) on April 10, 2025. House concurred (94-1-0-3) on April 17, 2025. President and Speaker signed April 19, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 22, 2025.
Right to Repair – wheelchairs (SB 5680 / HB 1826 – Establishing a right to repair for mobility equipment for persons with physical disabilities.): Championed by Representative Gregerson and Senator Drew Hansen. This bill requires manufacturers of powered wheelchairs and similar devices to make repair information, parts and tools available to independent repair businesses and owners. There is a lack of options for repair across the state and the wait time for repairs can be up to several months! STATUS: SENATE: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading on February 21, 2025. HOUSE: Referred to Rules 2 Review on February 21. In the House: Passed off House floor (95-0-0-3) on April 11, 2025. Concurred in Senate (48-0-0-0) on April 22, 2025. President and Speaker signed on April 24, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 25, 2025.
Improving compost and organics management (HB 1497 – Improving outcomes associated with waste material management systems) Championed by Representative Beth Doglio, this bill would address composting and other management of organic (yard and food waste) in order to divert the material from the landfill and avoid methane gas generation. It will help reduce wasted food, create cleaner compost, and provide more equitable service to multifamily residents. The bill aims to reduce contamination by standardizing color-coded collection bins and lids and labels on the bins. It would create a pathway for bringing organics collection to more multi-family buildings, including more room for the bins. And more… STATUS: Passed off House floor (57-39-0-2) on March 7, 2025. In the Senate: Passed off Senate floor (27-22-0-0) on April 16, 2025. House concurred (59-37-0-2) on April 22, 2025. Speaker signed on April 23, 2025. President signed on April 24, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 25, 2025.
Transition to greener refrigerants and promoting reclaiming gases (SB 5438 / HB 1462 – Reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrofluorocarbons): Championed by Senator Lovelett and Representative Davina Duerr, this bill helps Washington adapt to the national/global phasedown of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant gases hat are super potent greenhouse gases. It would limit climate pollution by stimulating reclamation and reuse of refrigerant gases. These gases are used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps. The bill also would guide the long-term transition to more affordable and climate-friendly alternative refrigerants. STATUS: SENATE: Heard in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 PM January 28, 2025. HOUSE: Passed off House floor (59-38-0-1) on March 5, 2025. In the Senate: Passed off Senate floor (25-23-0-1) on April 15, 2025. House concurred (58-39-0-1) on April 22, 2025. Speaker signed on April 23, 2025. President signed on April 24, 2025.Delivered to Governor on April 25, 2025.
PFAS in biosolids (SB 5033 – Concerning biosolids): Led by Sen Wilson, this establishes a monitoring program for PFAS (i.e., the forever chemicals) in biosolids from wastewater treatment facilities. Biosolids are spread in forests and on farms … and we are concerned about the impacts of these bioaccumulating toxic chemicals. STATUS: Passed off Senate floor (49-0-0-0) on March 7, 2025. In the House: Passed off House floor (95-0-0-3) on April 10, 2025. Senate concurred (49-0-0-0) on April 17, 2025. President signed April 19, 2025. Speaker signed April 22, 2025.Delivered to Governor on April 23, 2025.
Adding Ecology approval for landfill permits (HB 1154 – Ensuring environmental and public health protection from solid waste handling facility operations): Championed by Rep. Davina Duerr, this bill adds Ecology approval, in addition to local health jurisdictions, for landfill permit approvals. It also adds civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day for operating solid waste facilities without a permit. STATUS: Passed off House floor (58-39-0-1) on march 5, 2025. In the Senate: Passed off Senate floor (28-20-0-1) on April 15, 2025. House concurred (57-39-0-2) on April 21, 2025. Speaker and President signed on April 23, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 23, 2025.
Solar panel recycling program revision (SB 5175 / HB 1789– Concerning the photovoltaic module stewardship and takeback program): Led by Sen. Shewmake and Rep Kloba, this bill delays the solar panel recycling program to 2031 and establishes a photovoltaic module advisory committee to make program. STATUS: Senate: Passed off Senate floor (49-0-0-0) on March 5, 2025. House: First reading, referred to Environment & Energy on February 3, 2025. In the House: Passed off House floor (58-37-0-3) on April 8. Speaker and President Signed. Delivered to Governor on April 17, 2025. Signed by Governor on April 22, 2025.
Drug take-back program fix (HB 1422 – Modifying the drug take-back program): Led by Rep Peterson, this bill fixes a problem in the existing medicine return extended producer responsibility program, modifying fee and enforcement regulations and addressing program operator performance parity. STATUS: Passed off House floor (97-0-0-1) on April 9. In the Senate: Passed off Senate floor (46-0-0-2) on April 26, 2025. Speaker and President signed on April 27, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 27, 2025. Signed by the Governor on May 12, 2025.
Adding accountability to Adopt a Highway (SB 5556 – Modernizing the adopt-a-highway program to improve its ability to meet its original purpose within existing fiscal limitations): Led by Sen Ramos, this bill adds a reporting component to the Adopt-a-highway program and also potentially reduces funding. STATUS: Passed off Senate floor (49-0-0-0) on February 26, 2025. In the House: Passed off House floor ( 92-3-0-3) on April 11, 2025. Senate concurred (48-0-0-0) on April 22, 2025. President signed on April 24, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 25, 2025.
Lead in paint (SB 5494 – Protecting Washington communities from lead-based paint): Led by Rep Kauffman, this bill would authorizes Commerce to administer and enforce a state Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program for lead-based paint. STATUS: Passed off Senate floor (31-18-0-0) on March 7, 2025. In the House: Passed off House floor (63-33-0-2) on April 11, 2025. President and Speaker signed April 18, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 22, 2025.
Editing lead in cookware law (SB 5628 / HB 1756 – Concerning lead in cookware): Led by Sen. Harris and Rep. Chipalo Street, this bill would exempt appliances and cookware with inaccessible parts from last year’s lead in cookware law (sponsored by Rep. Pollet). This bill has been subject to intense negotiations and now is in “fix” status and is acceptable to Zero Waste Washington and our partners. STATUS: SENATE: Passed off Senate floor (48-0-0-1) on March 12, 2025. HOUSE: Referred to Rules 2 Review on February 20, 2025. In the House: Passed off House floor (95-0-0-3) on April 15, 2025. President and Speaker signed on April 24, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 25, 2025.
Litter penalty increase (HB 1293 – Concerning litter): Championed by Rep Klicker, this bill adds penalties together for littering in an amount less than or equal to one cubic foot. In addition, the bill delays the required increase in the thickness of reusable film
plastic bags from taking effect until January 1, 2028 (instead of January 1, 2026). STATUS: Passed off House floor (90-7-0-1) on March 6, 2025. In the Senate: Passed off Senate floor (46-2-0-1) on April 15, 2025. Back in the House: House refuses to concur in Senate amendments. Asks Senate to recede from amendment on April 23, 2025. Back in the Senate: Senate receded from amendments and bill passed off Senate floor with amendment (27-20-0-1) on April 26, 2025. Back in the House: Passed off House floor (98-0-0-0) on April 27, 2025. Speaker and President signed on April 27, 2025. Delivered to Governor on April 27, 2025
Farm and fields grants omitting compost equip (SB 5391 – Concerning the sustainable farms and fields grant program): Led by Sen Shewmake, this bill strips out specific eligibility for funding compost spreading equipment equipment from the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant programs. We do not love this bill, and think it is unnecessary but can live with it. STATUS: Passed off Senate floor (49-0-0-0) on March 4, 2025. In the House: Passed off House floor (93-5-0-0) on April 8, 2025. Speaker and President Signed. Delivered to Governor on April 17, 2025.Signed by Governor on April 22, 2025.
Ban flavored vapes and other actions (SB 5803 / HB 2068 – Regulating tobacco and nicotine products): Led by Sen Nobles and Rep. Reeves, this bill would prohibit the sale, display, marketing, or advertising of any flavored tobacco or nicotine product or entertainment vapor product. It also would add an additional cigarette tax of $2 per pack of cigarettes, to be adjusted every three years for inflation and adjusts the tax on vapor products, tobacco products, and alternative nicotine products to be 95 percent of the taxable sales price. Vapes are an item that we find frequently in litter cleanups. STATUS: Senate: First reading, referred to Ways & Means on March 29, 2025. House: Heard in the House Committee on Finance at 10:00 AM on April 7, 2025.
Increase solid waste tax (HB 2018 – Concerning solid waste and establishing the local government solid waste assistance account): Led by Rep Doglio, this bill would increase the solid waste tax. STATUS: Referred to Committee on Finance on February 24, 2025.
Exempts materials from Asbestos law (HB 1857 – Concerning asbestos-containing building materials): Led by Rep. Ley, this bill would exempt commercial aggregates from restrictions pertaining to labeling and the use of asbestos-containing building materials. We don’t love this bill, but worked with proponents and the bill is now significantly limited in scope. STATUS: Passed off House floor (95-2-0-1) on March 12, 2025. In the Senate: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee on April 4, 2025.
Zero Waste Washington is part of the Environmental Priorities Coalition. The Coalition is made up of 27 statewide organizations working to safeguard our environment and the health of our communities in the state legislature. For the 2025 legislative session, we have four priorities and a partnership agenda:
Partnership Agenda. The coalition also adopts a Partnership Agenda. This agenda supports work that is important for environmental progress being led by partners outside the coalition:
Cumulative Risk Burden (CURB) Pollution Act – Reduces pollution by considering the cumulative health risk and burden and prioritizing protections to the most impacted communities: HB 1303 / SB 5380
Prescribed Fire Claims Fund – Creates a prescribed fire claims fund to support prescribed fire and cultural burning to reduce wildfire risk: HB 1563 / SB 5491
Language Assistance and Accessibility in Elections – Offers enhanced language assistance and resources to local election administrators to increase accessibility in election processes: HB 1381
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Zero Waste Washington drives policy change for a healthy and waste-free world. We envision a just, equitable, and sustainable future where we all produce, consume, and reuse responsibly.