Chapter 173-310 WAC - Litter receptacles rule

A new law requires standardized colors for waste collection bins starting in 2028. Gray or black is for garbage, blue is for recycling, and green or brown is for organic waste. Ecology’s rule for litter receptacles, Chapter 173-310 WAC, has requirements for receptacles in public places that conflict with these new color standards.

We are starting an expedited rulemaking that will align the litter receptacle rule with new statutory requirements for solid waste collection containers under RCW 70A.205.750. The proposed changes will modernize the minimum standards for litter receptacles while helping achieve the Legislature’s vision for consistent-looking waste containers across Washington state.

Rulemaking timeline

Timeline

Expedited phase (CR-105)

Filing Date:
September 15, 2026

Expedited Rule Proposal Documents:

Deadline to submit an objection: November 24, 2026

Ecology’s expedited rulemaking process does not include:

  • a public hearing
  • small business economic impact statement
  • a regulatory analysis
  • responses to the criteria for a significant legislative rule


Send an objection to using the expedited rulemaking process for these rules to:

Bari Schreiner
Washington Department of Ecology
Governmental Relations
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
rulemaking@ecy.wa.gov

Additional languages

Español (Spanish) 中文 (Chinese) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) 한국어 (Korean) Pусский (Russian) Yкраїнський (Ukrainian)

Accessibility

To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.