Ecology’s request bill, HB 1543, to address the withdrawal of China as a recycling end-market, proposes a two-pronged solution. This includes the creation of an internal market development center and contamination reduction planning by local governments. The bill passed out of the House and awaits a committee hearing.
We agree with the Legislature’s intent in HB 1543 that the private sector has the greatest capacity for creating and expanding markets for recycled commodities. As such, instead of this proposal, the Legislature could take two steps in the next two sessions that would require the private sector to create and expand markets:
- Pass the plastic product stewardship bill SB 5397 – Although this bill has turned into a study bill, this is still a preferred path to HB 1543. The bill would lay the informational foundation for a product stewardship program. See our article on the details of what this bill would do.
- Pass a glass packaging product stewardship bill next session.
Addressing plastic and glass packaging through product stewardship would create long-term, sustainable markets for these two commodities. In addition, the other commodity impacted by China’s policy would also be addressed—paper—because glass and plastic are the key contaminants in paper. Future market ups and downs would then be borne by the producer and not by local governments.
Ecology’s proposal is a costly alternative without tangible market benefits. Here’s a summary of the substitute version of HB 1543:
- Establishes the Recycling Development Center (Center) within Ecology to further the development of markets and processing for recycled commodities and products. The Center must:
- Develop an annual work plan, with an initial focus on developing markets for mixed paper or waste plastic materials;
- Make recommendations on state policies to affect recyclable material markets, with consideration of the costs and benefits of those policies;
- Work with manufacturers of packaging and other potentially recyclable materials to increase the ability of their products to be recycled or reused;
- Undertake or contract for recyclable material market development studies;
- Disseminate information;
- Provide grants or contracts to public institutions;
- Provide business and marketing assistance to public and private sector entities;
- Represent Washington in regional and national market development issues;
- Work with specified entities involved in solid waste management, research, regulation, or advocacy, as necessary; and
- Report to the Legislature every two years regarding the center's activities and the center's effects on recycling rates and use of postconsumer materials.
- Changes the distributions in the Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Litter Control Account and uses 10% of litter funding to provide technical assistance to businesses.
- Requires city and county solid waste plans to contain a statutorily specified recycling contamination reduction and outreach plan before July 1, 2021. Counties with a population of 25,000 or less are exempt. Grant funding for plans is available through the competitive WRRED grant program.
- Directs the Ecology to create and implement a state recycling contamination reduction and outreach plan, which local governments may adopt in lieu of a local plan, and to provide technical assistance to local governments to reduce recycling contamination.
According to the fiscal note, Ecology estimates the Center would require 4.6 – 5.1 full-time employees; yet would only make one market-affecting policy recommendation a year – and not until 2022. The agency costs for the first two years almost reach $2 million, and then estimate $2 million per year moving forward. We are encouraged that Ecology is taking leadership on this issue; but, instead, support efforts under their existing funding to do market research to create a more sustainable recycling system for all the communities in our state.