Newsletters, brochures, press releases, past event materials, and other documents written or hosted by Zero Waste Washington

Zero Waste Washington newsletters provide updates on our community projects, legislative campaigns, producer responsibility, and recycling.

Annual highlights provide a snapshot of Zero Waste Washington’s successes and efforts over the years. Highlights for: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005.

Bill Passes Legislature To Help Washington Say Farewell To Fluorescents, March 6, 2024

Food waste bill passes both houses in Washington State, March 5, 2024

Governor Inslee signs ground-breaking Washington State battery recycling bill, May 11, 2023

Plastics Reduction Bill Passes Washington Legislature, Heads to Gov. Inslee for Signature, April 8, 2023

PreCycle Innovation Challenge winners announced, May 22, 2023

Bill to reduce food and yard waste at landfills passes second house in Washington, March 4, 2022

Washington’s new bag law takes effect, September 29, 2021

Governor Inslee sets Oct 1 as the start date for Washington’s new bag law, July 14, 2021

Governor Inslee signs ground-breaking Washington State plastics and recycling bill, May 17, 2021

Bill to Tackle Plastics Crisis Passes Washington State House:  April 7, 2021

Pacific NW Zero Waste Innovation Hackathon winners announced: November 30, 2020

House passes Das’s and Peterson’s “Reusable Bag Act,” banning single-use plastic bags: March 7, 2020

Bill requiring recycled content in plastic bottles passes second house in Washington: March 6, 2020

Washington House passes bill to require recycled content in plastic bottles: February 14, 2020

Washingtonians overwhelmingly support banning single use plastic bags as the Senate votes 30-19 to pass the Reusable Bag Bill January 15, 2020

Laws addressing recycling crisis signed by Washington Governor Jay Inslee: May 21, 2019

Washington enacts law creating new paint recycling program: May 9, 2019

Bag and Straw bills pass Washington State Senate: March 6, 2019.

Statewide Reusable Bag Bill Campaign Kicks Off: November 28, 2019

DRAFT: Trash Assessments in Washington State: Summary of Results 2018-2021

Trash Assessments in Washington State: Summary of Results 2018-2021

  • DRAFT Report: (PDF) (December 2021)
  • Factsheet (Word) (December 2021)

NEW: Improving Organic Materials Management in Washington State (May, 2021)

An Assessment of the Barriers and Needs of Organic Waste Management Facilities in the State of Washington
  • Report: (PDF) (May 14, 2021)
  • Infographic (PDF)

The State of Residential Recycling and Organics Collection in Washington State

  • Report: (PDF) (November 2019, updated September 8, 2020)
  • Appendix 1 (Data in Excel file), organized by County and then City:
    • Garbage, recycling and organics collection data (EXCEL)

As a note: we will update this report, as needed

PFAs in Compost

Evaluating Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Composts with Compostable Food Serviceware Products in their Feedstocks (January 2018): A study of PFAs in compost samples from across the US. March 2018.

Producer Responsibility

Poster and guide: A guide that explains producer responsibility concepts and benefits. When unfolded, this becomes a poster.

Electronics

  • Zero Waste Washington’s research paper on trip assessment for drop-off recycling of electronics in the Puget Sound area based on Zero Waste Washington’s original research. (2016) View or download the PDF here.
  • Citizen’s Guide to Producer Responsibility: This brochure tells the story of electronic waste – with and without producer responsibility.
  • Electronics survey: In 2002, Zero Waste Washington commissioned a survey of King County residents that addressed electronic waste and recycling.

Unwanted Medicines

  • Guide for Health Care Professionals: There are many ways to work towards preventing pharmaceutical compounds from entering the environment. You can read Zero Waste Washington’s brochure for health care professionals, which contains specific suggestions of what can be done.
  • Unwanted Medicine Survey: Zero Waste Washington commissioned a 2006 survey of King County residents to gain a greater understanding of disposal practices and other issues related to unused or expired medicines. You can look at the summary of the survey or the full results.

Unwanted Medicines

  • Guide for Health Care Professionals: There are many ways to work towards preventing pharmaceutical compounds from entering the environment. You can read Zero Waste Washington’s brochure for health care professionals, which contains specific suggestions of what can be done.
  • Unwanted Medicine Survey: Zero Waste Washington commissioned a 2006 survey of King County residents to gain a greater understanding of disposal practices and other issues related to unused or expired medicines. You can look at the summary of the survey or the full results.

Fluorescent Lights

How to Find Environmentally Preferable Lighting: We can all make choices to purchase lights that last longer, save energy, and contain less (or no) mercury. Read this brochure (2009) to learn more about greener lighting alternatives.

Rechargeable Batteries

Program evaluation: The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation offers a manufacturer-funded program for collecting and recycling rechargeable batteries and cell phones. Zero Waste Washington used a “secret shopper” approach to evaluate RBRC’s in-store program.