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Ecology outlines roles, advisory council and equity subcommittee for Recycling Reform Act
Summary
The Department of Ecology described how Washington's 2025 Recycling Reform Act will work, the role of a Producer Responsibility Organization, advisory council composition expected in January 2026, and an equity subcommittee to advise on impacts to overburdened communities.
Krista Thornton, environmental planner in the Department of Ecology's Solid Waste Management Program, presented an implementation overview of the Recycling Reform Act passed by the Washington Legislature in 2025. She described the law's coverage (consumer packaging and paper products), anticipated benefits (expanded access and outreach, job creation and reduced greenhouse gases), and that Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws exist in seven U.S. states with several others introducing similar bills in 2025. Thornton outlined the program roles: a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) will set and collect producer fees, fund Ecology costs and reimburse cities, counties and service providers for at least 90% of their costs; producers (brand owners) will pay fees and report; Ecology will oversee compliance, register service providers, appoint an advisory council and establish regulations.
Thornton detailed the advisory council structure Ecology expects to establish by January 2026, with staggered four-year terms and subcommittees including an equity subcommittee. The advisory council's duties will include developing statewide collection lists and performance targets, administering a reuse financial assistance program and reviewing PRO plans and annual reports. The equity subcommittee will have six representatives (three from eastern Washington across small, medium and large communities) and members will be eligible for compensation, the minutes state. Thornton said the council will advise the PRO and Ecology on impacts to socially vulnerable and overburdened communities and provide recommendations regarding accessibility, needs assessments and program development.
The presentation recorded in the minutes focused on roles, responsibilities and governance rather than specific regulatory text or fee levels; Ecology will notify the Legislature of the drafted PRO plan and program economic analysis and will finalize implementing rules and performance targets in subsequent steps.
