All Roll Calls
Yes: 954 • No: 1,061
WashingtonSB 52842025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Improving Washington's solid waste management outcomes.
Sponsored By: Liz Lovelett (Democratic)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
16 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 3 costs, 7 mixed.
Higher pay standard for recycling workers
Starting October 1, 2028, large material recovery facilities (25,000+ tons/year) must pay at least the minimum industry‑standard compensation. If more than one union agreement applies in a county, the higher rate is used; if none exists, the nearest county’s rate applies. Employers that do not offer usual benefits must pay the full minimum industry‑standard wage in cash. The Department of Labor & Industries enforces these rules using state wage‑payment laws.
Haulers can keep some recycling revenue
A collection company may keep up to 50% of the money it gets for recyclable materials that are not covered by an approved producer plan. The company must have a local government‑certified plan showing the funds will increase recycling. The rest of the revenue must go to residential customers.
Funding to grow reuse programs
Producer groups must fund a reuse assistance program every year. Funding across groups is at least $5,000,000 starting in 2029 and rises each year with inflation; Ecology can require higher amounts if reuse targets are missed. Governments, tribes, nonprofits, and private groups may apply. Producer groups run an open, competitive process and choose projects based on environmental, health, social, cost, and equity benefits, with advice from the council.
Tough penalties for producers and sellers
Starting March 1, 2029, producers that are not in good standing with a registered plan may not introduce covered materials in Washington. Sellers who keep distributing after a written warning can be fined the greater of $500 or twice the value of the materials sold. Ecology may fine producers and producer groups up to $1,000 per violation per day for a first violation, and up to $10,000 per violation per day for later violations, with notice and appeal rights to the hearings board. Collected penalties go to the Recycling Enhancement Account. Ecology can also order independent audits of recycling facility data.
Producers must join and fund program
Beginning January 1, 2026, producers must appoint a producer responsibility organization (PRO). After July 1, 2026, each producer must join a registered PRO or register an individual plan; if more than one PRO registers, Ecology picks one by March 1, 2026 for the first period and producers must join it. PROs register by March 1, 2026 and annually, and must set initial producer fees until a plan is approved. PROs pay Ecology a one-time amount by September 1, 2026 and annual registration fees each May 1; Ecology sets the one-time amount by March 1, 2026 and annual fees each March 31. Producers, through PROs, finance and run the statewide packaging and paper program, and Ecology enforces against noncompliant producers starting March 1, 2029.
Curbside recycling with your garbage service
Beginning January 1, 2030, if you have curbside garbage pickup, your city or county must also offer curbside recycling. Recycling collection must be available anywhere residential garbage service exists, except in county‑designated rural areas. Programs may only collect items on the state’s residential recycling list. Alternative programs must provide year‑round drop‑off sites, including at least one per county, and stores may choose to host drop‑offs. You cannot be fined under this law for improper disposal at home.
New recycling bills and rate rules
Your recycling provider must pass producer reimbursements to curbside customers as bill credits or rate reductions and show the price minus the reimbursement. The Utilities and Transportation Commission includes curbside recycling implementation costs in regulated rates. The Commission reviews producer reimbursements, can require billing systems that match state priorities, and can require delivery to responsible markets. Ecology or a producer group may give education materials for haulers to distribute, and haulers may treat reasonable distribution costs as operating expenses.
Service providers register, report, and get paid
Service providers who want reimbursement must register with Ecology by January 31, 2026 and every year, with business and service details. Ecology helps with this registration. PROs must reimburse service providers at least monthly unless both sides agree to a different schedule. Material recovery facilities must register and file detailed annual reports; starting in 2031 they must certify exports go to responsible markets.
Conflict-free, competitive rules for producer groups
Producer group boards cannot include elected officials, recent Ecology staff, or people tied to bidders or contractors. The advisory council cannot include legislators, lobbyists, or producer employees, and the department aims for statewide regional representation. Producer groups must run competitive bids and prefer in‑state providers and generally may not own required infrastructure, with narrow exceptions. For the first plan period, Ecology registers no more than one producer group (an individual producer may self‑register). Actions the department reviews or approves are exempt from state antitrust laws. Producers may petition one year before plan submission for a temporary exclusion of certain packaging with required justification.
Producer groups must report and inform
Producer groups must keep a public, accessible website with contacts, plans, reports, and a member and brand list updated at least monthly. They must run multilingual, culturally tailored education and help reduce labeling confusion. Starting July 1, 2031, they must file annual reports on amounts managed, costs, and progress by area; if a target is missed, a plan amendment is due within 90 days. Ecology may keep business‑sensitive data confidential while allowing consultant use under state rules.
Advisory council and equity input
The law creates an advisory council to review PRO activities, and Ecology appoints the first members by January 1, 2026. An equity subcommittee of six members, including three from eastern Washington, brings input from overburdened and vulnerable communities, with nominations from state commissions. The council meets at least twice a year and follows the open public meetings law. Ecology provides staff support and may hire a facilitator and create a council website. Members from tribes, community groups, or environmental nonprofits can request pay and expense reimbursement under state rules, and all members must disclose conflicts when making recommendations.
Ecology rules and public transparency
Ecology implements, administers, and enforces this law and adopts rules by 2028, aiming to match other states. Ecology posts draft plans for at least 45 days of public comment and acts within 120 days; first plan approvals take effect after the 2029 regular session ends. Starting July 1, 2031, Ecology posts annual reports for 30 days and reviews them within 120 days. By January 31, 2029, Ecology provides a model solid waste plan amendment for cities and counties. Ecology also runs a public website with registrations, provider lists, needs studies, plans under comment, statewide lists, noncompliant brands, and adopted rules.
Statewide recycling lists and needs studies
By October 1, 2026, Ecology sets initial statewide lists of recyclable and compostable materials and publishes updates within 30 days after plan approvals. The lists state what is collected at homes, in public places, or by alternative programs. Ecology completes a preliminary needs study by December 31, 2026 and a full statewide study by December 31, 2027, then updates it every five years. An independent contractor does the study, with at least 90 days for public comment and written responses. The study covers tons, services and costs by city and county, facility capacity, contract terms, markets, and materials producers introduce; providers must share needed data, which can be kept confidential and anonymized.
Producer plans, deadlines, and reporting
By October 1, 2028 and every five years, each PRO must submit a plan to Ecology. A PRO must start the approved plan by January 1, 2030, or within six months after approval, whichever is later. By July 1, 2031 and every year after, PROs file an annual report for the prior year. PROs must also keep a public website and run required education and outreach.
State studies equity and bottle returns
Ecology hires an independent reviewer for draft plans by January 15, 2029, and later reviews the first seven years. Registered producer groups must fund two statewide bottle deposit studies: modeling due January 1, 2026, and community findings due January 1, 2027. If a bottle return program is later adopted, the law requires a two‑year transition and close coordination with this system. Ecology studies litter trends and tax structure (no rate increases), with recommendations due January 1, 2030. Ecology also completes an equity study of facilities by January 31, 2032 and sets how socially vulnerable communities are identified. A new Responsible Recycling Management Account funds administration and enforcement.
Producers can seek alternative collection
In the first plan period, producers that make most of a material can petition Ecology at least six months before the lists are published to use collection methods other than commingled residential. Ecology may grant the petition if it is justified for different areas. If approved, the producer group must manage that distinct material and may offset payments only for that material. The group must follow producer‑organization rules unless Ecology finds some do not apply.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Liz Lovelett
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Bob Hasegawa
Democratic • Senate
Claire Wilson
Democratic • Senate
Derek Stanford
Democratic • Senate
Jamie Pedersen
Democratic • Senate
Javier Valdez
Democratic • Senate
Jesse Salomon
Democratic • Senate
Jessica Bateman
Democratic • Senate
Marko Liias
Democratic • Senate
Noel Frame
Democratic • Senate
Rebecca Saldaña
Democratic • Senate
Sharon Shewmake
Democratic • Senate
T'wina Nobles
Democratic • Senate
Member 14205
House
Member 27504
House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/23/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 27 • No: 21
House vote • 4/14/2025
1179 Couture Pg 1 Ln 3
Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1183 Couture Pg 3 Ln 39
Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1180 Corry Pg 9 Ln 23
Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1106 Abell Pg 13 Ln 37
Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1108 Engell Pg 13 Ln 37
Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1110 Walsh Pg 17 Ln 13
Yes: 41 • No: 55 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1103 Stuebe Pg 17 Ln 27
Yes: 42 • No: 54 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1100 Klicker Pg 47 Ln 2
Yes: 42 • No: 54 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1102 Dye Pg 47 Ln 2
Yes: 41 • No: 55 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1122 Reeves Pg 1 Ln 25
Yes: 59 • No: 36 • Other: 3
House vote • 4/14/2025
1181 Couture Pg 1 Ln 3
Yes: 41 • No: 55 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1111 Walsh Pg 17 Ln 13
Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1182 Dye Pg 1 Ln 25
Yes: 39 • No: 57 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1074 Fey Pg 1 Ln 3
Yes: 47 • No: 49 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1101 Dye Pg 2 Ln 9
Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1105 Ley Pg 21 Ln 4
Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1112 Dye Pg 48 Ln 24
Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 51 • No: 45 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
1104 Barnard Pg 53 Ln 33
Yes: 40 • No: 55 • Other: 3
House vote • 4/14/2025
1107 Dufault Pg 57 Ln 37
Yes: 41 • No: 55 • Other: 2
Senate vote • 3/7/2025
3rd Reading & Final Passage
Yes: 27 • No: 22
Actions Timeline
Effective date 7/27/2025.
5/17/2025SenateChapter 316, 2025 Laws.
5/17/2025SenateGovernor signed.
5/17/2025legislatureDelivered to Governor.
4/25/2025legislaturePresident signed.
4/24/2025legislatureSpeaker signed.
4/24/2025legislaturePassed final passage; yeas, 27; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 0.
4/23/2025SenateSenate concurred in House amendments.
4/23/2025HouseThird reading, passed; yeas, 51; nays, 45; absent, 0; excused, 2.
4/14/2025SenateRules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
4/14/2025SenateCommittee amendment(s) adopted as amended.
4/14/2025SenateRules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
4/10/2025SenateReferred to Rules 2 Review.
4/8/2025SenateMinority; without recommendation.
4/7/2025SenateMinority; do not pass.
4/7/2025SenateAPP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) but without amendment(s) by Environment & Energy.
4/7/2025SenateAPP - Executive action taken by committee.
4/7/2025SenateReferred to Appropriations.
4/2/2025SenateMinority; without recommendation.
3/31/2025SenateMinority; do not pass.
3/31/2025SenateENVI - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
3/31/2025SenateENVI - Executive action taken by committee.
3/31/2025SenateFirst reading, referred to Environment & Energy.
3/9/2025SenateThird reading, passed; yeas, 27; nays, 22; absent, 0; excused, 0.
3/7/2025SenateRules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
3/7/2025Senate
Bill Text
Session Law
5/22/2025
Bill as Passed Legislature
4/25/2025
Engrossed Second Substitute
3/7/2025
Second Substitute
2/28/2025
Substitute Bill
2/18/2025
Original Bill
1/15/2025
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