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.
Sen Liz Lovelett and Rep Liz Berry, champions of the Recycling Reform Act
We are approaching the mid-point of legislative session…. And our zero waste bills are still alive! At this critical point, we could use your help.
Bills need to be “pulled” from the Rules committees (which means they are voted out) in the House and Senate and then they need to be voted on the floor of the respective houses. Policy bills will die if they are not voted off the floor of their house of origin by 5pm on March 12.
We are working with terrific partners on a large suite of legislative bills this session. Below is a summary of our priority zero waste bills, their status, and how you can help us move them toward becoming law.
How you can help
The most important thing right now is for legislators to hear from their own constituents. Their aides give them daily tallies of how many emails and calls they receive on each bill. Thus, it is vital for you to make your opinion known now.
It is super simple and will just take a few minutes per bill. You can send an email through the legislative webpage, or you can call the hotline (open M-F 8 am to 7 pm): 1-800-562-6000
They will ask your name and address and then will let you list several bill numbers and state your support or opposition and a brief comment: “I urge your support/opposition on this bill because…”
The operators type up your comment and send that as an email to the legislative aides, so that it is easy for them to tally.
Or you can send a quick email, through the system. Links are provided for each bill below. Again, it makes it easy for the legislative aides to tally.
You don’t need to write a tome
Fundamentally, it is about the number of emails/calls they receive, not about lengthy comments. One sentence for each bill is perfectly fine!
Please support these bills
If you only have 2 minutes, our #1 priority is the Recycling Reform Act so we ask that you support this bill. It is still moving forward in both the House and Senate. If you have a few more minutes, please send emails or make calls for the rest of the list.
Here is each bill and link to make comment. And quick summaries of each bill are below.
Click the link for:
Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284 / HB 1150)
Senate bill (SB 5284): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5284
House bill (HB 1150): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1150
Right to repair (SB 5423 / HB 1483)
Senate bill (SB 5423): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5423
House bill (HB 1483): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1483
Right to repair – wheelchairs (SB 5680 / HB 1826)
Senate bill (SB 5680): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5680
House bill (HB 1826): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1826
Organics (food and yard waste) (HB 1497): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1497
Refrigerant gases (HB 1462): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1462
EV Battery recycling (HB 1550): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1550
PFAs in biosolids (SB 5033): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5033
DRS for Beverage Containers (bottle bill) (SB 5502 / HB 1607)
Senate bill (SB 5502): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5502
House bill (HB 1607): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1607
Landfill permits (HB 1154): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1154
Drug take-back program fix (HB 1422): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1422
Bill information
The Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284 / HB 1150)
The big one! The Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284 / HB 1150) is a comprehensive bill that will modernize our recycling system in Washington. Instead of sending $104 million dollars of recyclable materials to our landfills annually, let’s recycle it! Or, even better, reduce it!
Championed by Senator Liz Lovelett and Representative Liz Berry, this bill establishes a producer responsibility program to create a stronger connection between the manufacturers and the end-of-life management of their products by funding the recycling system, designing products that create less waste, and increasing the opportunities for residents to participate in a modernized recycling system. And it brings curbside recycling to residents across the state!
Banner photo at top of this page: Our PRO team testifying in support of the Recycling Reform Act at the Senate Ways and Means Committee, February 24, 2025
Right to Repair (SB 5423 / HB 1483)
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 the public as well as independent repair businesses. Extending the life of computers, tablets, cellphones, and household appliances reduces the burden on the environmental impact of manufacturing new products – therefore also decreasing greenhouse gases. 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 be able to keep using their items instead of tossing them when they stop working.
Rep Mia Gregerson with wheelchair activist, Marsha Cutting, at the policy committee hearing on the Right to Repair (wheelchairs) bill
Right to repair – wheelchairs (SB 5680 / HB 1826)
Powered wheelchairs are vital for people who depend on them. It is about quality of life, being able to work, and go to school and other basics. 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 product owners and independent repair businesses. There is a lack of options for repair across the state and the wait time for repairs can be up to several months!
Organics (food and yard waste) (HB 1497)
Led by Rep Beth Doglio, this bill addresses 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 would standardize bin colors and labeling across the state, include penalties for businesses that are not composting their food waste (or managing the food waste in other ways), bring compost collection to multifamily buildings and more.
Refrigerant gases (HB 1462)
Championed by Representative Davina Duerr, this bill creates value for reclaiming refrigerant gases, so that service technicians will capture and turn in the gas, rather than vent it to the atmosphere. These gases in HVAC systems, refrigerators, heat pumps and more, are much, much more potent greenhouse gases than CO2.
EV Battery recycling (HB 1550)
Electric vehicle batteries contain valuable metals such as lithium, cadmium and nickel. This bill, championed by Rep. Chipalo Street, requires automobile companies and others to extend the life of these batteries and ultimately to responsibly recycle them, so that the metals can be recovered and made into new batteries or other uses.
PFAs in biosolids (SB 5033)
Led by Senator Jeff Wilson, this bill would establish 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.
DRS for Beverage Containers (bottle bill) (SB 5502 / HB 1607)
Championed by Senator June Robinson and Representative Monica Stonier, this bill would establish a system that facilitates the return of beverage containers, with a 10 cent refund.
Landfill permits (HB 1154)
Championed by Rep. Davina Duerr, this bill would require Ecology approval, in addition to local health jurisdictions, for landfill permit approvals. It also adds a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day for operating solid waste facilities without a permit. It is a technical bill, but important.
Drug take-back program fix (HB 1422)
Led by Rep. Strom Peterson, this bill fixes a problem in the existing medicine return extended producer responsibility program. The existing law, championed by Rep. Peterson in 2019 (after a 10-year fight!), caps the amount that the pharma industry pays the state for their costs. This bill removes that cap.
Get our Legislative Action updates
We started a new action list this year. Each week, you can help out with key sign-ins and emails or calls to legislators to express your opinion as the bills are moving along.
If you would like to be added to the list for these new action emails, please sign up here.
Come to our Legislative Tea Sunday March 9
Please see invite below, for our annual Legislative Tea for a peak into the sausage-making of our zero waste bills.
Keep track of zero waste bills
In addition, during session, we will continually update the status on all the bills related to zero waste and priority environmental concerns on our legislative page here.
Thank you all for your help in moving important zero waste bills forward. If you have any questions, please contact Heather at heather@zerowastewashington.org
We hope you will join us for a lively discussion about the exciting zero waste bills making their way through our state legislature. Are you puzzling over the implementation, mechanics, or science behind these policies?
Please join us for
Zero Waste Washington’s
Annual Legislative Tea
Sunday, March 9
3—4:30 pm
Via zoom
Please register so we can send you the zoom link: https://zerowastelegtea2025.bpt.me/
or email: heather@zerowastewashington.org
Come and hang out with people who share your passion for protecting Washington’s environment and learn about the meaningful bills Zero Waste Washington, legislators, and our partners are pursuing to reduce waste and improve recycling in Washington
By Nayeli Campos, Community Outreach and Policy Coordinator
Zero Waste Washington has been working closely with farmers to tackle waste on farms across Snohomish, King, Kitsap, and Pierce counties. Through interviews with over 50 farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers, we’ve learned about the pressing waste challenges they face—particularly with plastic—and are launching three projects for farmers in March.
These three pilot projects are designed to address farm waste, reduce landfill use, and save farmers money. These projects are informed by farmer input and funded by a Public Participation Grant from the WA State Department of Ecology. Here’s a quick overview and update on how we’re turning research into action.
Free Trial of Reusable CSA and Delivery Boxes
“Waxed” cardboard boxes can’t be recycled or composted and wear out quickly. The “wax” is actually a layer of plastic. Zero Waste Washington is offering farmers a free trial of reusable CSA and delivery boxes. These durable boxes are designed to be used hundreds of times, significantly reducing waste and potentially saving farmers money in the long run. Farmers will have the opportunity to choose from three different box options (pictured below) with the goal of testing the boxes to determine how well they work as alternatives for their waxed cardboard boxes. Quantities are limited to 3 boxes per farm (or more, depending on demand).
50% Cost-Share Program for Durable Nursery Trays
Switching to durable nursery trays to reduce waste and save money is desirable, but the upfront cost can be a barrier for some farmers. That’s why we’re offering a 50% cost-share program for Winstrip nursery trays. Farmers in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties will be able to purchase these long-lasting trays at half the price, through our project, making this option more accessible. We are setting the maximum to 40 trays per farm, on a 1st come, 1st served basis.
Nursery Tray and Pot Recycling Events
Broken or unwanted plastic nursery trays and pots are a big problem because they can’t be recycled through the normal channels, due to the residual dirt. We’re partnering with a recycling company to host free drop-off events where farmers can bring their used trays and pots for recycling.
To participate in these events, pots and trays must be free of large amounts of organic materials or debris. We will accept black or other color plastic pots made from #5 PP, #2 HDPE, and #6 HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) plastics. We cannot accept non-plastic trays and pots (metal, wood, ceramic), plastic #1, #3, and #4, and mixed materials (plastics combined with other materials).
Spread the Word and Stay Tuned!
Know a farmer who could benefit from these initiatives? Help us spread the word.! Share this information with anyone in the agricultural community who is interested in reducing waste and saving money.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like more information about these pilot projects, please don’t hesitate to contact Nayeli at nayeli@zerowastewashington.org.
By Andrea Ramirez, Sustainability Analyst
We have been working in partnership with New Americans Alliance for Policy and Research (NAAPR) to help address environmental justice issues in vulnerable communities. Our focus communities are refugees from Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan who often experience a language barrier that restricts their ability to stay informed about exposure to toxic chemicals in products and in their homes, impacting their family’s health.
Last fall and this winter, with NAAPR staff, we have organized and conducted in-language interactive training in Farsi, Arabic and Somali, focusing on educating the communities and raising awareness about environmental toxic chemicals they might be exposed to.
In-language Community Trainings
Around 250 community members have already participated in the trainings. In these workshops, we have provided information about toxic chemicals in products and about the health damage that chemicals such as lead, PFAs, phthalates, flame retardants can cause. In the workshops, community members have been providing valuable feedback due to their own experiences related to environmental justice concerns.
Participants have learned about safer alternatives they could opt for and behaviors they can adopt to mitigate impacts from exposure to contaminated household items, indoor pollution and the use of black plastics.
We have seen that most of the attendees were not aware of these environmental issues, but after they found out about the problems, everyone was willing to do something to reduce exposure. We look forward to continuing discussions with more community members, bridging the language barrier, and including other topics about more sources of potential exposure to toxic chemicals.
If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Andrea at Andrea@zerowastewashington.org
Our partners — Beyond Toxics and Energy Justice Network — are hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, March 4, at 5 pm (on zoom). Hear from researchers on a recently published study analyzing native moss as a screening tool for heavy metal pollution from solid waste incineration. Moss can be an important bioindicator of environmental health! Researchers will share how their investigation tracked the spread of air pollutants by testing moss around the former Covanta incinerator in Brooks, Oregon.
These data are useful in identifying the geographic spread of toxic chemicals from emissions and can be used to inform other communities living near incinerators.
Covanta ceased operations at their Oregon incinerator facility along with the last two mass burn facilities in California on December 31, 2024. This was a huge win for Oregon and California activists who worked for over 10 years to expose the realities of potential health risks from air-borne toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data show these facilities produce more pollution and global warming emissions per unit of electricity produced than coal-fired power plants!) and the environmental justice issues.
This webinar is particularly germane to Washingtonians as we have concerns about the Spokane Waste-to-Energy facility (the last remaining incinerator on the West Coast) and a potential facility in King County.
To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gk5XmMRkR3uLRUxLhyevCQ#/registration
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Zero Waste Washington
PO Box 84817 * Seattle, WA * 98124
(206) 441-1790
