Regulation ChangeProposedProposed Regulation
Washington WAC 173-950 Draft Rule Language Released for Recycling Reform Act Committee Review
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)Washington State Department of EcologyUS - Washington
Announced
May 27, 2026
Description
The Washington Department of Ecology released draft rule language for Chapter 173-950 WAC implementing the Recycling Reform Act (Chapter 70A.208 RCW). The draft includes sections on purpose (173-950-010), applicability (173-950-020), definitions (173-950-030), producer duties (173-950-100), and individual producer plan requirements (173-950-110). The rule committee meeting on May 27, 2026 reviewed the draft language. According to the published timeline, the proposed rule (CR-102) is estimated for October 2027 with final adoption (CR-103) in April 2028 and an effective date of May 2028. The EPR program will require producers of residential packaging and paper products to join and fund a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), with recycling service provider cost reimbursements beginning in 2030.
Key Findings
Washington WAC 173-950 Draft Rule Language Released for Recycling Reform Act Committee Review
............14 173-950-010 Purpose (1) Chapter 70A.208 RCW establishes an extended producer responsibility program for consumer packaging and paper products in Washington state. The program increases access to convenient and affordable recycling services, minimizes negative impacts to the environment, public health, and worker health and safety, and builds and expands on existing waste and recycling infrastructure. (