Committee hears broad support and some concern for bin color, multifamily and penalty changes in HB 1497

Representative Beth D’Oleo introduced House Bill 1497 as a follow‑up to prior organic materials legislation and described the bill as the product of multiple stakeholder processes to reduce food waste, expand organics diversion and support agricultural reuse. "I know it sounds crazy about these lids and these colors, but it can make a difference in helping people understand what goes where if it's consistent across our state," D’Oleo said, explaining the bill’s standardized cart color and labeling provisions.

Jacob Lipson, staff to the committee, summarized the bill’s main provisions: required labeling for collection containers by January 1, 2027; a new color scheme for new carts (green/brown for organics, blue for recyclable material, gray/black for residual waste) for containers placed after January 1, 2028; no mandatory replacement of existing bins prior to end of usable life; Ecology to provide model labels and graphics; an education and outreach program to reduce contamination; a required Ecology list of businesses that may be subject to organics requirements;…