The Department of Enterprise Services (Department) oversees the state recycled content standards for several types of products, including paper. In 2009 the Legislature passed an act requiring each state agency to purchase 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper used in office printers and copiers. Agencies are encouraged to give priority to purchasing from companies that produce paper in facilities that generate energy from a renewable energy source. If the agency's printers and copiers cannot be calibrated to use such paper, paper must be purchased at the highest recycled content that can be efficiently used and the equipment must be replaced, at the end of its lease or life cycle, with equipment that can use 100 percent recycled paper.
The requirement to use 100 percent recycled content paper also does not apply to printed projects that require the use of high-volume production inserters or high-speed digital devices. Those projects must use the highest recycled content that can be efficiently used.
The Department is required to identify 100 percent recycled paper products that process efficiently through high-speed production equipment and do not impede the business of agencies.
State agencies may purchase paper produced in a process that yields at least 40 percent less carbon dioxide than standard copy paper, rather than 100 percent recycled content paper. Standard copy paper means paper that emits 1,186 kilograms of carbon dioxide per metric ton of paper produced.
Corresponding requirements and exceptions are modified accordingly.
The substitute bill removes language that delays the requirement to use recycled or low-carbon paper until July 1, 2023. The substitute bill also updates the underlying statutory language to reflect legislation enacted last session.
(In support) By adding a second option for state agencies to purchase paper, this bill allows the state to be flexible and help businesses in Washington. There is one company in Washington that produces paper that meets the low-carbon standard. The state will save money and support the local economy while still meeting its environmental goals. Environmental impact should be measured over the entire operation of paper production, not just in terms of the output.
(Opposed) Washington has been a leader for environmental and social responsibility, and the current requirement is a model of other states. There are economic benefits to the recycling and waste management communities to have the state procure recycled paper. More recycling still needs to be done, but the state needs to continue economic policies that encourage a market for recycled products. The number in this bill for the standard impact of copy paper is disputed. The state should not be creating policy to specifically benefit one company; that is not the best use of taxpayer dollars in a free and fair economy.
(Other) The bill should require paper to be recycled "and" low-carbon, not "or." Allowing this second option would be a significant weakening of existing law. There are downward trends on the rates of recycling in Washington. It is also concerning to set the definition of standard copy paper in a statute, when models change over the years. The number should be set by the Department of Ecology so it can change over time.