Committee hears hours of testimony on bill to make producers pay for recycling; sponsors say plan will raise residential recycling to 66% by 2032

House Bill 1150, introduced by Representative Liz Berry (D., 36th Legislative District), would require producers of paper and packaging sold in Washington to participate in and fund a producer responsibility organization (PRO) that plans and implements statewide collection, processing and end‑of‑life management for covered materials.

Jacob Lipson, staff to the House Environment & Energy Committee, told members the bill sets timelines for producer registration with the Department of Ecology, requires the PRO to submit an approved implementation plan, and directs Ecology to carry out a statewide needs assessment and produce lists of materials suitable for residential curbside recycling, residential composting collection, public‑place collection and alternative collection. Ecology would review plans, receive annual reports, and could assess penalties for noncompliance.

Sponsor Rep. Liz Berry said the measure is aimed at the state’s struggling recycling system. “Right now in Washington, only 40% of residential recyclable materials are actually being recycled,” Berry said, and she told the committee the…