S-1448.1
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5502
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Senate Environment, Energy & Technology (originally sponsored by Senators Robinson, Shewmake, Hasegawa, and Saldaña)
READ FIRST TIME 02/18/25.
AN ACT Relating to recycling and waste reduction; amending RCW 82.19.050 ; adding a new section to chapter 82.04 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 70A RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. FINDINGS — INTENT. The legislature finds that Washington's current recycling system does not collect and recycle the majority of the 3.8 billion glass, plastic, and metal beverage containers put onto the market each year to their highest and best use in order to optimize the economic and environmental benefits of recycling for Washington residents.
The legislature recognizes improved recycling for beverage containers will help the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce litter and specifically plastic pollution, expand opportunities for reusable containers, and support state and regional businesses to build a circular economy. Higher-quality materials always hold greater economic value and offer more diverse end markets. The recent struggles of regional end markets expose critical weaknesses in Washington's fragmented recycling system and underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to divert recyclable materials, like glass, from landfills and ensure they are transformed into valuable new products. Recycling refund programs provide a proven solution by delivering high quality, source separated glass, plastic, and metal containers that will revitalize end markets and support robust local recycling infrastructure.