WA recycling is healthy but this bill would boost it even more

If you’re reading a printed copy of this newspaper, there’s a good chance you’ll recycle it when you’re done. It’s a part of your identity, after all, living in a state that proudly boasts a low-waste mentality and a recycling rate well above the national average.

The state’s high recycling rate is the result of decades of investments in reliable curbside pickup and recycling facilities, public education and the everyday commitment of residents to the shared responsibility of environmental stewardship. Working in concert, all of these elements have created a robust, well-developed system that helps keep plastics, glass, cardboard and other recyclable materials in circulation and out of the landfill.

I’m proud that our system is working as well as it is, but that doesn’t mean we should be complacent. That’s why I’m encouraged to see our state Legislature take up proposals to increase our recycling rate by building on our proven strengths. One of those proposed bills, House Bill 1900, would advance foundational changes for making recycling even easier.

Although you may not think about your recyclables after you sort them into the proper bin, the next steps in the recycling process aren’t exactly simple. From collection to sorting facilities and beyond, the materials you place into your recycling bin have a significant journey ahead of them to be made into new products. It’s important that we monitor which parts of that system are working efficiently and which are not, to make sure we’re keeping as many materials in circulation as possible.

That’s why we are encouraged that HB 1900 would initiate a needs assessment, which is a data-driven analysis of our current system that would help us identify the best opportunities for further improvement. This assessment will help us ensure that future decisions about this system are informed by data that’s specific to Washington and built on the solid foundation that’s already in place.

The bill will also help to standardize recyclability claims so consumers can better understand what is recyclable and what isn’t. Nowadays, many products are stamped with chasing arrows in a circle even though they aren’t always recyclable (because recycling standards and policies are different in every community). By implementing the same labeling standards in Washington that already exist in California, HB 1900 will simplify the sorting process, so the right items are placed into the right bin, which will reduce contamination and improve our recycling rate.

Finally, HB 1900 would require producers to register their products with the state Department of Ecology. By providing this information, producers would be helping the state gain a better understanding of the products and materials that are regularly brought into Washington, which then need to be recycled, composted, or discarded as waste. This will increase our ability to keep our recycling data and analysis up to date and trustworthy, which will greatly help us ensure that our products are processed properly.

Washington has the benefit of an incredibly thorough recycling system with a history of public support. We should build on these strengths so that each local community can take the next steps necessary to reduce waste effectively in a way that reflects their local needs. During the 2024 legislative session, Washington’s policymakers have a great opportunity to help us recycle even more.

It may seem like your role in the recycling process ends at the bin, but in reality, you’re a partner in the much larger system that’s working to divert materials from the landfill. As residents of a state that is widely recognized for its commitment to environmental progress, we have the opportunity to support a policy that will improve circularity across the state. I’m incredibly proud of our state’s recycling system, and I hope we can continue to work together in support of HB 1900 to further increase Washington’s ability to reduce waste.