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WA lawmakers look at making packaging producers pay for recycling • Washington State Standard

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WA lawmakers look at making packaging producers pay for recycling • Washington State Standard


Washington’s recycling system may soon get a makeover. 

A proposal to require companies to reduce unnecessary packaging and fund statewide recycling services is making its way through the Legislature this year. 

The goal is to give more people the opportunity to recycle more types of products and to incentivize packaging producers to use sustainable materials, said bill sponsor Rep. Liz Berry, D-Seattle. Currently, what can be recycled differs by city, and 11 counties have no recycling services at all. Under this proposal, everyone in the state would use the same system. 

“Recycling will become really affordable, really convenient and really equitable,” Berry told the Standard. “It will create this circular, sustainable economic model for recyclable materials.”

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Berry’s bill is similar to laws passed recently in Maine, Oregon, California, Colorado and Minnesota. Different versions of the legislation have been debated in Washington during the past two years but never became law. 

Under the program, manufacturers, brands and importers must join a statewide “producer responsibility organization.” 

Producers are required to pay membership fees to that organization to cover the cost of a new recycling system. Fees vary based on the types of products a company uses. If a producer uses more sustainable materials, for example, they would likely pay less. 

If a producer does not want to join the statewide organization, they must register as an individual and pay annual fees to the state.

A national producer responsibility organization already exists to help implement this type of system in California, Colorado and Maryland. 

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By March 2029, producers who are not members of the organization or registered with the state could not sell their products in Washington.

Under the bill, the Department of Ecology would develop a list of recyclable materials in Washington. Most plastic packaging and paper products sold, distributed or shipped into and within the state would likely be covered. 

The Department of Ecology would also work on a new education campaign — paid for by producer fees — to make sure all residents know what products they can recycle.

Brenda Fincher, a Kent City Council member, said that the statewide education piece will help clear up confusion.

“It’s uncountable the number of times that I’ve heard that recycling is not happening or that everything can be recycled,” Fincher said at a Thursday press conference. “It’s confusing for the residents right now.”

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There would be some exemptions under the proposal. Government entities and charitable organizations would not have to take part. Packaging on infant formula, nutritional supplements, medical equipment and drugs, and hazardous products would be among those not covered. 

If the bill passes, residents could expect to see a change in how they recycle within the next five years, Berry said. The program would be fully implemented within 10 years of passage.

‘Streamlined’ bill

This year’s proposal is supported by environmental groups, cities and counties, labor unions, medical professionals and some producers. 

Dr. Mark Vossler, with Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, said plastic pollution is having negative health effects, especially for those who live close to industrial sites. 

“This is a tremendous environmental justice concern,” Vossler said at a Thursday press conference. “Accountability measures will incentivize companies to move away from toxic or harmful packaging materials.”

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Berry said she is hopeful this is the year the proposal finally passes. This version is “shorter and more streamlined” than in the past, and it’s mostly based on the Minnesota bill that became law last year and had broad support, she said.

Berry added that she’s worked on the bill for years and has found many compromises with those who were previously opposed.

“I’m really hoping that members of the Legislature will see how isolated the opposition is at this point and understand that what we’re trying to do is something positive for our state,” she said.

The bill is expected to receive a public hearing in the House Environment and Energy Committee on Tuesday.

Pushback

Despite broad support, the legislation could still run into stiff opposition, particularly from manufacturers, businesses and waste management companies. 

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Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, said in a statement that she and other Republicans have concerns that the bill would enact “expensive mandates” that could increase costs for consumers. 

“I believe we need to spend wisely by targeting investments to underperforming counties to increase recycling,” Dye said. “We do not need to put new fee increases on packaged products during our current affordability crisis.”

Dye is among those supporting a different recycling bill that does not require businesses to pay. 

That proposal would require producers to register and report their paper products and packaging to the Department of Ecology, which would create a public list of recyclable materials. The bill would also set new standards for how much recyclable material must be in certain products. And it would provide recycling discounts for low-income households.

Rep. Jake Fey, D-Tacoma, is sponsoring this other bill, which has bipartisan support. In a hearing on Thursday, it received backing from business groups, waste management companies, and food and hospitality organizations. Local government organizations, environmental groups and utilities were among those who testified against the bill.

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Washington

Shakira cancels sixth concert of world tour amid ongoing issues

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Shakira cancels sixth concert of world tour amid ongoing issues


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Shakira canceled a Saturday concert in Washington, D.C. – her sixth cancellation this year.

The popular Colombian singer was scheduled to perform this weekend at Nationals Park, although it seems the cancellation of her Thursday show in Boston at Fenway Park made it impossible for her and her team to make it to the show.

Capital Pride Alliance, the organization that had put together the event, shared in a statement on social media, “Like Shakira’s fans and our friends and family who have traveled from around the world to join us in DC this weekend, we are deeply disappointed that unforeseen circumstances have forced the cancellation of both this week’s concert in Boston and [Saturday]’s concert at Nationals Park.”

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SHAKIRA, JASON ALDEAN CONCERTS ABRUPTLY CANCELED AT BOSTON’S FENWAY PARK OVER STAGE SAFETY CONCERNS

Shakira performs onstage during her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour at Met Life Stadium on May 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

The organization also shared another statement that was given to people who had purchased tickets to the event.

“Due to complications with the previous show in Boston, Shakira’s full tour production cannot be transported to Washington, D.C. in time for her scheduled performance at Nationals Park on Saturday, May 31,” that statement read. “As a result, the D.C. show has been canceled. Despite every effort to make it happen, it is not possible to move forward as planned.”

Shakira shared a message of her own to her Instagram followers, writing, “Nothing more painful for an artist than having to cancel two sold-out stadium shows like Boston and DC for reasons beyond one’s control.”

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“Thank you for being there in the good times and the not so good,” she continued. “We’ve cruised together through every bump in the road, and you always take me to the other side. Los quiero con todo.”

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A photo of Shakira performing

Shakira performs on Feb. 20, 2025, in Barranquilla, Colombia. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

In February, Shakira launched her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour in South America. Shortly after, she canceled a concert in Lima, Peru – her third show of the tour – because she’d been hospitalized with an “abdominal issue.”

A week later, a concert in Colombia was postponed when the roof of the stage “suffered damage that puts at risk the safety of the artist, her staff and, most importantly, that of the audience” while a production team was assembling her show, the promotor explained in a statement translated by Billboard.

Shakira looks to her right and holds her phone in Barcelona

Shakira has canceled six concerts this year for her world tour. (David Ramos)

At the beginning of March, she was set to perform two shows in Santiago, Chile, both of which were canceled just hours before the first was slated to begin. In a lengthy statement she shared on social media at the time, translated from Spanish to English by People, she explained in part that there was an issue with the stage assembly, and that it was “not stable enough to guarantee the safety of my band, dancers, fans and me.”

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SHAKIRA QUICKLY EXITS STAGE AFTER FAN SEEMINGLY FILMS UP HER DRESS

“There are two things I would never compromise: the security of my team and that of my fans, and I would never offer a show below the quality standards that you all deserve,” she wrote. “My heart is broken in a thousand pieces to not be able to perform for you due to reasons out of my control.”

Stage safety concerns were once again to blame for the cancellation of her Thursday performance in Boston at Fenway Park. A representative for Live Nation told Fox News Digital, “During a routine pre-show check, structural elements were identified as not being up to standard, so the shows were canceled. All team members are safe.”

Shakira holds a microphone while on stage

Shakira speaks to her fans on stage during the “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” album release party at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on March 21, 2024, in Hollywood, Florida. (John Parra/WireImage)

After the cancellation of Saturday’s show in Washington, D.C., social media users began discussing what seems to be a developing trend for the tour.

“This is just disrespectful to her fans… last minute every time,” one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

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Another wrote, “I love shakira to death but i can’t accept any excuses. no matter how many technical issues they bring out. this is is just her fault. cancelling your concert on the show day is just unacceptable. idk if you know how this have impacted your image.”

A photo of Shakira

Shakira performs at 2025 Suenos Music Festival on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)

“I can understand one or two shows, but 6 is ridiculous!” another post read. “Figure it out before or get a regular stage that doesn’t extend on the floor since it seems like that is the issue here.”

Others were upset at the news, including one fan who wrote, “Can’t believe this ! Ughhhh! My entire weekend was planned around this show.”

Another insisted, “All I know is, Shakira will never cancel or reschedule if things are up to her.”

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Washington DC zoo shooting reports false, no active shooter: Police

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Washington DC zoo shooting reports false, no active shooter: Police


Jun 01, 2025 02:47 AM IST

D.C. Police Department has dismissed reports of a shooting at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, confirming there is no active shooter on the premises.

The Washington D.C. Police Department has confirmed that reports of a shooting at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park on Saturday evening were false.

No shooting at DC zoo. (UnSplash)
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“There is NO active shooter or threat at the National Zoo. Officers are investigating a report of a fight between two adults,” police said in a post on X. 

What happened?

Earlier in the evening, several witnesses took to social media claiming there was an active shooter on zoo grounds. Some reported hearing gunshots and seeing people running in panic.

“Currently at the Smithsonian National Zoo in DC where there is an active shooter on the premises. Police are here, the shooter is still believed to be active. Currently herded into the visitor center,” one witness wrote on X.

Another added, “We just passed by the zoo there were 11 police cars there !!!!”

A third person reported, “What’s up with the shooting noise??? Make the city safe again.”

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Another person wrote, “Oh no an active shooter at the National Zoo. Info from an associate at the zoo right now in hiding with her daughter. This is terrible.”

Despite these reports, police have confirmed that no gunshots were fired and there is no active threat to the public. 

Also Read: Mariucci Arena shooting leaves 2 injured after Wayzata High School graduation

Two people shot in Southeast DC

On Friday night, police responded to reports of gunshots fired in Southeast Washington, D.C. Officers arrived at the 1200 block of I Street around 10:40 p.m. and found two men with gunshot wounds.

Both victims were conscious and breathing when first responders arrived and were quickly transported to local hospitals for treatment.

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No arrests have been made so far, and police have not released any information about possible suspects.

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Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics.
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Help Washington manage European green crabs with citizen science events | HeraldNet.com

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Help Washington manage European green crabs with citizen science events | HeraldNet.com


SNOHOMISH — Washington State University is hosting a citizen science “Molt Search” program on June 2 in an effort to combat growing concerns about the European green crab.

Introduced to North America in the 1800s, the European green crab is considered one of the most invasive marine species by agencies across the country. Because it has few natural predators, it outcompetes native species and can destroy precious habitat, such as the eelgrass beds juvenile salmon and other young fish use as nurseries.

Washington agencies and tribes noticed an uptick in green crabs in 2018, with an even greater increase of sightings in 2021. In 2023, the Washington State Legislature appropriated over $6 million for green crab management.

As part of these management efforts, WSU Beach Watchers and Washington Sea Grant is promoting its Molt Search program. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gary Weikel Room at Willis Tucker Park, community members can learn how to conduct a timed survey for crab molt — outgrown and discarded shells — and report their findings through a mobile app.

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“Since we are in the early stages of the spread of European Green Crab in inland Washington waters, early detection of these crabs is paramount,” Beach Watchers Program Coordinator Jonathan Robinson said. “That is why getting as many eyes out on the beach looking for European Green Crab molts is so important.”

On June 20, Washington Sea Grant is hosting its second annual Molt Blitz, where you can join citizen scientists across the state by reporting findings in your local area.

For more information on both events and European green crab management, you can visit https://wsg.washington.edu/crabteam/moltsearch/.

Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; eliza.aronson@heraldnet.com; X: @ElizaAronson.

Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.

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