SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6338

BYSenators Murray, Talmadge, Rinehart, Kreidler, Sutherland and Bender

Requiring newspapers to be printed on recycled paper.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 17, 1990

Senate Staff:Atsushi Kiuchi (786-7708)

AS OF JANUARY 15, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Committee of Recycling Markets reported about 30 percent of old newspapers in the northwest are exported and about 13 percent recycled in this state.  The current soft recycled paper market is expected to continue for next few years but predicted to get larger and stronger both in domestic and export markets.

A national oversupply has led paper mills to expand the use of the old newsprint as feedstock.  Currently under construction is a facility in Longview to de-ink and recycle old newspapers. Legislation requiring newspaper publishers to use paper with recycled fiber content was passed in California.

SUMMARY:

Findings:  Recycling old newspapers saves landfill space, reduces energy consumption and preserves forest resources.  Requiring the use of old newspapers in the manufacture of newsprint will provide economic and environmental benefits.

Definitions:  "Consumer of newsprint" means a person who uses newsprint in a commercial printing or publishing operation.  "Newsprint" means uncoated paper generally used for the publication of newspapers, commercial advertising inserts, directories, mailers and made primarily from mechanical woodpulps combined with some chemical woodpulps.  Also includes paper made from old newspapers that have been de-inked using the recycled pulp in lieu of virgin pulp.  "Post-consumer waste paper" is finished material that would normally be disposed of as solid waste.  "Recycled-content newsprint" means newsprint in which not less than 40 percent of the fiber consists of post consumer waste paper.

Implementation:  On or after January 1, 1992, every newsprint consumer shall ensure that at least 25 percent of its annual newsprint use is made from recycled content newsprint, if it is available at a price comparable to that made from virgin material and meets state quality standards.

An annual schedule of percentage of use by tons is established, starting with 25 percent in 1992 and reaching a maximum 50 percent after January 1, 2001.

Certification:  Consumers shall certify each March the number of tons of newsprint used and the number of tons of recycled content newsprint used.  Non-use certification is authorized due to price, quality or unavailability.

Standards:  Department of Ecology shall develop and maintain a list of all suppliers and consumers of newsprint. The department shall establish quality standards for recycled content and virgin material newsprint with review required every two years and to make any necessary changes. A survey report on quality, availability and market will be conducted and reported to the Legislature by July 1, 1995.

Penalties:  Civil penalties of not more than $1,000 for each violation are established for false certification.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 12, 1990