Washington’s WRAP Act, including EPR and bottle bill plans, won’t move forward this year

Washington state’s WRAP Act, which included main EPR for packaging and bottle invoice provisions, won’t transfer ahead this yr after failing to make it out of committee earlier than a key deadline.

The Washington Recycling And Packaging Act would have established an prolonged producer accountability program for sure packaging and paper and would have created a container deposit system with a 10-cent deposit worth. Different provisions included recycling and reuse targets, “truthful labeling” guidelines and minimal recycled content material requirements for gadgets like plastic thermoform containers, meals tubs and single-use cups. The state in 2021 handed a recycled content material regulation for sure beverage containers, private care merchandise and trash luggage. 

Supporters stated the invoice would make recycling techniques extra environment friendly and assist increase Washington’s recycling charges by holding producers extra accountable to pay materials administration prices, constructing upon the development of 4 different states that not too long ago handed EPR for packaging legal guidelines. A brand new container deposit system would increase assortment charges for high-value plastics whereas additionally creating jobs, they stated. 

“With producers protecting the prices of recycling, many jurisdictions which have needed to reduce providers lately will be capable to reinstate these larger service ranges,” wrote state Rep. Liz Berry, a major invoice sponsor, in a letter to the Seattle Instances. 

Supporters additionally included Zero Waste Washington, a significant backer of the invoice, in addition to Surroundings Washington, Washington Public Curiosity Analysis Group, the Washington Beer and Wine Distributors Affiliation, the Affiliation of Washington Cities, Seattle Public Utilities and several other municipal governments.

Regardless of momentum from activists, objections from the waste business finally gained out, stated Heather Trim, govt director of Zero Waste Washington. 

Washington Refuse & Recycling Affiliation, which represents main haulers within the state corresponding to WM, Waste Connections and Republic Companies, was among the many teams that opposed the invoice, saying it might value residents more cash and harm the waste business. “We have already got handy and reasonably priced curbside recycling packages that accumulate our beverage containers,” the affiliation tweeted this week. Representatives from these haulers additionally testified in opposition to variations of the invoice throughout committee hearings.

Others in opposition included the American Chemistry Council and several other material-specific organizations such because the American Forest & Paper Affiliation. AF&PA held a press convention on Wednesday about the way it thought WRAP Act’s EPR parts might disrupt paper recycling streams and divert funding away from paper recycling infrastructure funding. “EPR insurance policies needs to be utilized as an answer for hazardous or hard-to-handle supplies with low recycling charges,” stated Terry Webber, vp of business affairs, on the press convention.

Washington has mulled a number of EPR for packaging payments lately, most not too long ago final yr’s EPR and minimal recycled content material invoice known as the RENEW Act, which additionally did not move out of committee. 

A number of different recycling and waste-related payments are nonetheless within the combine, together with an EPR for batteries invoice comparable to 1 handed in California final yr, in addition to a right-to-repair invoice for electronics. A plastics discount invoice phasing out miniature toiletries and selling reusable water bottles can be nonetheless in play. The session ends April 29.