Paying for litter programs

Since 1971, a 0.015% tax on retail sales of items typically found in roadside litter funds Washington’s litter, waste reduction, and recycling programs. This tax generates around $14 million a year for the Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Litter Control Account (WRRLCA). Our WRRLCA budget varies each biennium based on funds from the Legislature and the litter tax.

We split the WRRLCA budget of approximately $26 million three ways:

• 40% funds litter pickup and prevention programs
• 40% funds waste reduction and recycling efforts
• 20% funds local government programs through the Community Litter Cleanup Program

Ecology-funded litter programs

We direct funds to a variety of litter pickup, prevention, and enforcement efforts statewide. These programs and partnerships include:

• Ecology Youth Corps
• Community Litter Cleanup Program grants
• Ramp Litter Cleanup Program grants
• Department of Natural Resources’ Correctional Camps program
• Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands and Waters program
• Department of Corrections Work Crews program
• Department of Transportation
• Parks and Recreation Commission
• Washington State Patrol
• Statewide litter prevention campaign