This bill establishes minimum postconsumer recycled content (PCRC) requirements for various plastic products sold in Washington State, aiming to enhance environmental sustainability and support the recycling industry. It introduces new definitions, such as "PCRC 1.0" and "PCRC 2.0" products, and specifies exemptions for certain items in direct contact with food, drugs, or hazardous materials. The legislation outlines specific postconsumer recycled content percentages that producers must meet for plastic beverage containers, household cleaning products, and plastic trash bags, with phased implementation starting from January 1, 2023, and increasing requirements through 2031. Additionally, it mandates annual reporting from producers on their use of virgin plastic and recycled content, along with penalties for non-compliance.

The bill also includes provisions for labeling plastic trash bags with producer information and recycled content percentages, effective January 1, 2027, and requires third-party certification for compliance starting January 1, 2030. It establishes a process for audits and investigations to ensure adherence to the new regulations and outlines a timeline for future evaluations of the PCRC requirements, including a market study every ten years. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of state agencies prioritizing the purchase of PCRC products from compliant producers beginning April 1, 2030, and ensures that any invalid provisions do not affect the overall act.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 70A.245.010, 70A.245.020, 70A.245.030, 43.21A.160, 70A.245.100, 70A.245.090, 70A.245.120, 70A.245.060