What Washington’s new EPR law means for brands, recyclers, and policymakers

Sun shining through the leaves freestocks
Business

On 17 May 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5284, officially known as the Recycling Reform Act, marking Washington as the seventh US state—and the last on the West Coast—to establish a packaging and paper Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme.

What does EPR mean for brands?

  • Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs): By 1 July 2026, producers (manufacturers, brand owners, importers, distributors) must join or establish a PRO to manage recyclables on their behalf.

  • Cost-sharing model: Brand levies will help cover recycling costs—initially around 50% of program expenses by 2030, increasing to 90% by 2032.

  • Design incentives: With producers footing part of the recycling bill, there’s a stronger incentive to use recyclable and lower-impact packaging—from day‑one design to end‑of‑life disposal.

Sun shining through the leaves. Photo credit: Joanna Malinowska/freestocks.org

What it means for recyclers & municipalities

  • Expanded curbside recycling: The law mandates curbside pickup across all homes with waste service, bringing recycling to nearly half a million more households, including multi-family and rural areas.

  • Needs assessment & oversight: The Washington Dept. of Ecology will lead a state-wide recycling audit by end of 2026, followed by a more comprehensive analysis in 2027, ensuring future infrastructure can meet demand.

  • Enforcement powers: Willful non-compliance—such as failure to register by March 2029—could result in escalating penalties.

What this signals for policymakers

Washington’s adoption of packaging EPR aligns it with Maine, Oregon, California, Colorado, Maryland, and Minnesota, closing a major policy gap on the West Coast. It reinforces a producer-funded, shared-cost approach common in global models, designed to build more resilient recycling systems without overburdening taxpayers.

This move sends a clear signal: packaging design, recyclability, and collection systems must now be viewed as interlinked elements in a circular economy — and not afterthoughts.

Key dates to watch

  • 1 Jan 2026: Producers must appoint a PRO
  • 1 Jul 2026: Producers must register with PRO
  • 31 Dec 2026: Ecology to complete initial recycling needs study
  • 1 Mar 2029: PRO registration mandatory before sale
  • 2030: Reimbursement to reach 50%
  • 2032: Full 90% cost coverage required

Why it matters

For brands: It’s time to rethink packaging from end-to-end—not just as a marketing tool, but as a cost-bearing environmental responsibility.

For recyclers: Federal funding and infrastructure investment will follow—to support collection, sorting, and processing.

For policymakers: Washington’s law is a template for scalable, equitable EPR systems that balance producer accountability with public access to recycling.

This shift isn’t stopping. Expect more US states to follow Washington’s lead, potentially driving a national tipping point in sustainable packaging and producer-led system design.

Latest Packaging News

Corrugated and carton packaging demand rises across Canada
Business

Corrugated and carton packaging demand rises across Canada

Canada’s corrugated and folding carton packaging market is forecast to reach USD 37.27 billion in...
Reusable packaging gains momentum in e-commerce supply chains
Sustainability

Reusable packaging gains momentum in e-commerce supply chains

The global market for reusable e-commerce packaging is experiencing rapid growth, with increasing...
Flexible packaging set for strong growth across North America
Business

Flexible packaging set for strong growth across North America

The flexible packaging sector in North America is forecast to grow significantly over the next...
Sustainable moisture control: Why SUPER DRY is you best choice
Supplier News

Sustainable moisture control: Why SUPER DRY is you best choice

When cargo crosses the ocean, it encounters various risks, including condensation and humidity....
The Real Olive Company optimises production with Autopack machinery
Supplier News

The Real Olive Company optimises production with Autopack machinery

Autopack, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of packaging machinery, has recently partnered with The...