SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6295

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS, FEBRUARY 4, 1994

Brief Description:  Establishing an additional weighting factor to be used in purchasing products containing recycled material.

SPONSORS: Senators Sheldon, Morton, Drew and Fraser

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6295 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Fraser, Chairman; Deccio, Moore, Morton and Sutherland.

Staff:  Kari Guy (786‑7464)

Hearing Dates: February 2, 1994; February 4, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Department of General Administration is charged with developing specifications and adopting rules for the preferential purchase of products with recycled content.  The department currently places a 10 percent price preference for goods containing not less than 15 percent recycled material.

SUMMARY:

The weighting factor for recycled material content is set at a minimum of 10 percent. 

A second weighting factor is added based on the savings in disposal costs due to diversion of products from disposal within the state.  The Department of General Administration is to consult with the Department of Ecology, other state agencies, and the appropriate universities to develop a method to quantify the cost savings of avoided disposal.  Bidders must certify what percentage of recycled material content was obtained from within the state. 

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The weighting factor is changed to be based on savings in disposal costs from recycling of solid waste that is generated in Washington.

Paper products are exempt from consideration under this weighting factor.

Certification of the percentage of recycled materials obtained from within the state is only required of bidders seeking application of the weighting factor.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 19, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

This is a positive move that will increase the recycling of materials in the state.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The paper mills in Washington import paper from outside of the state; it would be very difficult to quantify the amount of recycled material that is from within the state.

TESTIFIED:  Senator Sheldon, prime sponsor (pro); Kathy Gill, NWPPA (con)