We promote producer responsibility to address difficult to handle wastes such as medicine, electronic waste, mercury light bulbs, tires, paint, photovoltaic modules and more.
Zero Waste Washington focuses on seven priority program areas
Promoting Producer Responsibility
Reducing Plastics Pollution
We work to reduce plastics pollution in our waterways and compost, including microplastics. We help assess litter across the state and we seek passage of reusable bag and other single-use plastic items laws at the local and state level.
Reuse, Repair and Share
We promote a culture of reuse, repair, repurpose and sharing at the community level. We promote sharing libraries (such as tool libraries), Fix-It Fairs and programs to reuse materials.
Remove Toxic Chemicals
We work to get toxic chemicals out of our products, especially those that cause contamination at end of use. Examples include Teflon chemicals — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — in food serviceware which contaminates compost and flame retardants in millions of sofas which will now require careful disposal.
Promote Redesign
We promote the redesign of products, especially packaging, as a significant waste prevention measure. Mixed packaging (plastics and papers bonded together) cannot be recycled and excess packaging generates nuisance waste. Products designed with a cradle-to-cradle or circular economy approach conserves resources. Innovative use of bio-materials reduces toxicity and allows for cleaner composting.
Drive the Market and Reduce Contamination
We work to help drive the market for recyclable and compostable feedstocks and approaches that will reduce contamination in the recycling and composting streams.
Promote Innovation
We promote innovation, especially for difficult items where policy or new techniques are needed. Examples include items that make up significant volumes in the landfill such as diapers, kitty litter, pet waste, and “flexible” packaging.
