Committee hears state data and Canadian EPR model as Ecology and experts discuss packaging extended producer responsibility

Legislators heard a work session on recycling policy, extended producer responsibility (EPR) and state recycling data that examined national trends, Washington’s recovery rates, and a functioning full‑scale EPR program in British Columbia.

Jennifer Schultz, program principal with the National Conference of State Legislatures, summarized national EPR activity and trends. She told the committee that more states have adopted EPR laws across a widening set of product categories, and said “EPR is a policy approach that assigns producers greater responsibility for the end of life management of the products they introduce to the market and encourages innovations in product design.” Her overview noted recent state activity on packaging, batteries and electronics and cited New Jersey’s 2024 law as the first U.S. EPR law that explicitly included EV batteries.

Peter Lyon, manager of Ecology’s Solid Waste Management Program, provided Washington‑specific data and policy analysis. He said Ecology’s recent consultants’ work estimates Washington’s residential packaging recycling rate at roughly 40% (the agency’s broader recovery rate is higher because it includes large…