Washingtonians want better recycling
– instead of for-profit corporations protecting the status quo.
Special interests are trying to mislead the public to protect their profits. Waste haulers generally make money burying glass and other recyclable materials. This is a big part of why Washington’s recycling system has flatlined – sending hundreds of thousands of tons of recyclable material to landfills every year.
High-Performance Recycling Programs like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Recycling Refunds (RR) are proven solutions to fix Washington’s underperforming recycling system. Let’s set the record straight.
What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
EPR requires consumer goods producers and brands to take responsibility for recycling their packaging and pay to improve our current residential recycling system.
What are Recycling Refunds?
A Recycling Refund (RR) system – also known as a “Bottle Bill” – is a recycling program that places a refundable deposit on bottles and cans to encourage consumers to return empty beverage containers for a refund.
Affordable, not expensive
Recycling Opponents Say
EPR and recycling refunds will make everything more expensive.
REALITY ABOUT EPR
EPR shifts recycling costs from ratepayers and taxpayers to consumer product companies and packaging manufacturers, ensuring they pay their fair share instead of leaving the public to foot the bill. Research shows, even in a worst-case scenario, EPR fees have little impact on consumer prices – at most, $0–$4 per month for a household of four. These fees, just fractions of a penny per package, are typically absorbed into the cost of doing business.
And Washington residents’ monthly solid waste bills will go down by $5-$10 per month as producers pick up the tab for recycling their own materials, which more than offsets any increase in grocery prices.
Comparisons of the Washington’s Recycling Reform Act to California’s SB 54 are not valid. There are massive differences between the bills and approaches. Washington’s bill has been modeled after Minnesota’s EPR law, the first harmonized EPR bill in the U.S. On the other hand, California’s law includes many more restrictions and also a billion dollar fund to clean up plastics in the environment. The Washington bill and the California law are simply not the same, it is an apples to oranges comparison.
REALITY ABOUT RECYCLING REFUNDS
The 10-cent deposit on beverage containers is fully refundable when the container is returned. In states with existing recycling refund programs, most consumers return their containers and get their money back.
Proven to Work
Recycling Opponents Say
These programs don’t improve recycling rates.
REALITY ABOUT EPR
EPR programs worldwide have increased recycling, reduced waste, and encouraged companies to use better materials. Investments from EPR programs make it possible for more material to be recycled locally.
REALITY ABOUT RECYCLING REFUNDS
States with recycling refund programs have far higher recycling rates. Michigan and Oregon both exceed 75%, compared to Washington’s 30% for beverage containers. Half of all plastic bottles recycled in the U.S. are collected through Recycling Refund programs in just 10 states.
REALITY ABOUT WASHINGTON’S RECYCLING INDUSTRY
Despite waste industry claims, Washington’s recycling system is failing. Hundreds of thousands of Washington households still lack access to recycling services. The state captures just 40% of recyclable materials from residences, losing over 860,000 tons annually to landfills and incineration.
Convenient, Not Burdensome
Recycling Opponents Say
Recycling refunds are too much hassle for consumers.
REALITY ABOUT RECYCLING REFUNDS
Washingtonians already drop off items at grocery stores and other locations – returning beverage containers is no different. Modern recycling refund systems provide a network of convenient drop-off points at stores, kiosks, and redemption centers.
Curbside recycling alone isn’t cutting it – beverage containers have a dismal 30% recycling rate in Washington. Recycling refunds boost recycling participation and keep valuable materials in circulation.
Safe and Well-Managed
Recycling Opponents Say
Recycling refund locations attract crime and unsafe conditions.
REALITY ABOUT RECYCLING REFUNDS
Well-managed programs in other states operate safely and efficiently, keeping litter off streets, enabling cleaner communities, and reducing waste in landfills. Oregon’s system, which the waste industry misleadingly attacks, has expanded because it’s effective – reaching a 90% redemption rate. Safety concerns can be mitigated by greater convenience, good lighting, and strong security systems.
Both Extended Producer Responsibility and Recycling Refunds programs will:
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Increase recycling rates to recover more materials and reduce waste.
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Ensure fair responsibility: by making producers – not households – pay for packaging waste.
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Improve infrastructure so recycling is accessible and effective.
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Lower costs long-term overall by reducing contamination and improving system efficiency.
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Create jobs in the recycling and remanufacturing industries.
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Reduce litter and pollution by keeping materials off our roadways, out of our parks and out of our waterways.
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Reduces Litter and Cleanup Costs: Washington spends $12 million annually on cleanup, yet recycling refunds are the only proven program to cut littered beverage containers by up to 84%.
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Promotes Circular Recycling: By increasing the clean collection, supply and use of recycled content and materials, brands and producers can create new containers, supporting a sustainable bottle-to-bottle and can-to-can recycling cycle.
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Significantly Increases Recycling Rates: Proven to boost beverage container recycling rates from 30% to 94%, reducing overall system costs.
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Incentivizes Reuse and Refill: Encourages the adoption of refillable containers and the reuse of materials – delivers the infrastructure to scale reusable packaging- further reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption practices.
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Reduce emissions and improve our environment by increasing our reuse, recycling and plastic source reduction rates.
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Make it easy to recycle by increasing access, including at apartments and in rural areas.
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Support Washington’s economy by building local supply chains and recycling businesses and creating new, green jobs.
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Reduce confusion and contamination by developing a clear common list of what can be recycled statewide.
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Save local governments and residents money by covering most of the costs of recycling programs
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Create financial incentives for companies to reduce unnecessary packaging and use greener, more recyclable materials.