HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1947

                       As Passed House

                       March 18, 1991

Title:  An act relating to recyclable materials.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to recyclable materials.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives G. Fisher and Sprenkle).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, March 5, 1991, DPS;

Passed House, March 18, 1991, 93-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1947 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Horn, Ranking Minority Member; Edmondson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Brekke; G. Fisher; Neher; Phillips; Pruitt; D. Sommers; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  Rick Anderson  (786-7114).

Background:  Legislation enacted in 1989 requires cities and counties in urban areas to provide curbside recycling service.  Curbside recycling service is generally provided by cities or private garbage collection companies.  Local recycling companies generally do not have sufficient capital to purchase the trucks and other equipment needed to compete for collection routes.  As curbside recycling service has become increasingly available, local recycling companies have experienced a decrease in its volume of material handled.

Summary of Bill:  Local solid waste advisory committees are required to meet with local recyclers and garbage collection companies for the purpose of determining how local recyclers might participate in the processing and marketing of materials collected for recycling.   In making recommendations to a city or county, the advisory committee  is directed to consider utilizing the services of local recycling companies.

Cities and counties that provide a reduced garbage rate for citizens using curbside recycling services are required to provide a reduced garbage rate for citizens using local recycling services, such as drop-boxes and buy-back centers.

Vehicles authorized to provide curbside recycling or garbage collection are exempt from certain parking violations when in the process of collecting material.

Taking recyclable materials from curbside containers or commercial drop-boxes, without the consent of the owner, is a civil penalty carrying a $250 fine.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill will provide a much needed opportunity for recyclers to gain access to recyclable materials.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Joe Tanner, Washington State Recycling Association (pro); John Paul Jones, Washington Waste Management Association (pro); Greg Wright, Washington (pro); Ray Hoffman, Seattle Solid Waste (both); Susan Gulick, King County Solid Waste (didn't say); and Bill Vogler, Association of Counties (didn't say).