HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1456

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Wang, Locke, Walker, Rust, Jones, Fisher, Holland, Todd, Lux, Unsoeld and Winsley)

Prohibiting the sale of beverage containers connected by plastic rings that are not degradable.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Brekke, Ferguson, Jesernig, Lux, May, Pruitt, Schoon, D. Sommers, Sprenkle, Unsoeld and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Gulick (786-7116)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 13, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Plastic 6-pack rings have been used since the 1960's as a method of packaging and carrying beverage cans.  In the late 1970's 6-pack rings that degrade or decompose when exposed to sunlight were developed.  These photodegradable 6-pack rings were introduced in the U.S. to address two problems:  litter and wildlife entrapment.

The actual time required for complete elimination of the 6-pack rings is dependent on a number of variables, including the season, the amount of sunlight, temperature and the natural forces in the environment (such as wind, water, etc.). Generally, the time needed for photodegradation will vary between several weeks in the summer to several months in the winter.

Use of photodegradable 6-pack rings is required by law in eleven states in the United States.  It is used voluntarily by the U.S. beverage industry in several other states, including Washington.

SUMMARY:

It is illegal to sell beverage containers connected by a material that is not degradable.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 18, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Wang; Representative Locke; Representative Patrick; Frank Keller, Washington Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Six-pack rings used in the state degrade in sunlight, so the bill essentially legislates current practice.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.