Recycling Reform Act

The Recycling Reform Act will improve Washington’s residential recycling system. Passed by the legislature in 2025, the law creates an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for residential packaging and paper products. The law requires producers of these products to join and fund a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO). The PRO will work with local governments and solid waste service providers to roll out the program by 2030.

I want to...

How the program will work

Producers of residential packaging and paper products will be responsible for the end-of-life management of their products. Using funds provided by producers, the PRO will invest in recycling system improvements including expanded access for curbside recycling and more convenient drop off locations. Starting in 2030, the PRO will reimburse at least 90% of the recycling system cost to service providers who collect and process residential packaging and paper products. The PRO will annually report on the program and must meet the performance targets established in their approved plan.

The law requires harmonized lists of recyclable materials to be accepted in programs throughout the state. Facilities that sort and process collected recyclables must ensure materials go to responsible end markets.

The steps in the Recycling Reform Act process

Program elements and participants:

Producers are consumer product brand owners who must join and pay fees to a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization.

Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) will use producer fees to pay for existing, improved, and expanded residential recycling service. The PRO will reimburse at least 90% of private solid waste service provider or local government costs to provide collection service and process materials. Starting in 2029, the PRO will provide grants for packaging refill and reuse infrastructure.

Statewide collection lists will be finalized by Ecology to allow people to recycle the same materials everywhere in the state. PRO funding enables collection of those items regardless of location or distance from recycling markets.

Recycling services will be offered to all households with curbside garbage service and drop-off access will be improved. This will expand service for people living in rural communities and apartments. Current solid waste service providers will continue to deliver recycling collection services and be reimbursed by the PRO for at least 90% of their costs.

Education about how to recycle within the improved system, along with programs to reduce contamination (trash) in our recyclables will be provided by the PRO. Outreach materials will be accessible, meet the needs of diverse communities, and will be usable by local governments and solid waste service providers.

Processing of recyclables will take place at existing facilities. Where needed, the PRO will invest in upgrades or new facilities. Each year, all facilities will report to Ecology on the quantity, quality, and end markets of the material processed.

End markets must manage recyclables appropriately, without creating unnecessary pollution or further harming the environment. Service providers, processors, and the PRO will ensure materials collected in Washington reach responsible end markets.

Oversight and enforcement of the program will be conducted by Ecology. An advisory council will provide ongoing feedback about program startup, implementation, and operation to Ecology and the PRO.

Program startup efforts include development of statewide collection lists, two needs assessments, consultation with interested parties, rulemaking, and program plan approval. Statewide, consistent, and increased curbside recycling services begin in 2030.

Recycling Reform Act EPR program timeline

Ecology is implementing the Recycling Reform Act in three phases over the next five years. Early work requires the agency to complete several specific tasks in order for the PRO to develop a program that meets the need of Washington residents.

In Phase 1 Registration and Assessments, Ecology will begin rulemaking, establish the advisory council, and start work on several contracted studies. Service providers and the PRO will register with Ecology annually starting in 2026. By 2027, Ecology will publish the statewide collection lists and two needs assessments.

In Phase 2 Program Development, Ecology will adopt rules and the PRO will submit a draft program plan for advisory council and Ecology review. Ecology will contract for an economic analysis of the draft PRO plan. The legislature will consider the draft plan and economic analysis. Ecology will approve the PRO plan. The PRO will roll out the packaging reuse grant program. After March 2029, producers who are not members of the PRO cannot sell their products in Washington.

In Phase 3 Program Implementation, residents will receive increased access and reduced costs for recycling services. The PRO will reimburse service providers, invest in infrastructure improvements, and submit annual program reports for advisory council and Ecology review. Ecology will ensure the PRO program meets the requirements of the law and complete additional program studies.

This describes phase 1 of implementation

This describes phase 2 of implementation

This describes phase 3 of implementation

Mail-evergreen Join our email list to receive updates and hear about opportunities for engagement.

Frequently asked questions

Extended producer responsibility (EPR), sometimes called product stewardship, places the burden of managing materials that are impactful to the waste system and environment on producers that created them. This is true not just at the manufacturing stage, but also at the end of a product’s useful life. The Recycling Reform Act creates an EPR program focused on producers’ residential packaging and paper products.

Ecology provides oversight of Washington's other EPR programs including electronic products, light bulbs that contain mercury, photovoltaic solar panels, and paint and batteries. Washington State Department of Health oversees the state’s Pharmaceutical Stewardship Program.

Recycling Reform Act EPR: Key participants and their roles

Hover or click through the graphic to show each key partcipant and their role. Click here for a static graphic and use the dropdowns below to read about each key participant and their role.

Oversee program activities, compliance, and enforcement
Register service providers annually
Appoint and facilitate an advisory council
Develop statewide collection lists
Conduct two needs assessments
Establish regulations for the program
Notify the Legislature of the draft PRO plan and program economic analysis
Review and approve PRO plans and annual reports

Set and collect producer fees, fund Ecology’s costs
Implement and fund program requirements
Develop the program plan, including performance targets, methodology for reimbursement rates
Fund and operate a reuse grant program
Reimburse cities, counties, and service providers at least 90% of their costs
Invest in infrastructure to expand and improve collection of recyclables
Submit annual reports
Meet performance targets in the approved plan

Resources

Contact information

Recycling Reform Act
recyclingreform@ecy.wa.gov