SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2308
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Environment, Energy & Water, March 1, 2002
Title: An act relating to recycling and waste reduction.
Brief Description: Encouraging recycling and waste reduction.
Sponsors: House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville, Schoesler, Anderson, Dunshee, Lovick, Lantz, Santos, Rockefeller, Berkey, Conway, Wood, Edwards, Cooper, Hunt, Fromhold, Dickerson, Cody, Simpson, Upthegrove, Kagi and McIntire).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Environment, Energy & Water: 3/1/02 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY & WATER
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Fraser, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Eide, Hale, Honeyford, Jacobsen, Keiser, McDonald and Morton.
Staff: Genevieve Pisarski (786‑7488)
Background: The Waste-Not Washington Act of 1989 established a state policy of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling that provided for a 50 percent recycling rate by 1995, expanded local government solid waste planning, a waste characterization survey, reporting requirements, and regulation of solid waste collection companies.
According to the Department of Ecology, the state's recycling rate reached a high of 39 percent in 1996 and declined to under 33 percent in 1997. The department convened a Recycling Assessment Panel to evaluate the decline and to recommend responses. The panel's report was presented in February 2000 and included recommendations for legislation. Among these recommendations were measures to increase commercial recycling, increase the efficiency of residential recycling, increase organic material recycling, address land‑clearing waste, and raise awareness statewide.
Summary of Bill: The Department of General Administration must work with the construction industry to develop guidelines for on‑site construction waste management, including standards for identifying types of waste, methods for evaluating recycling services and alternatives to recycling, planning methods, and training and technical assistance. The department must report to the Legislature in December 2002.
The adopted product standards for state purchasing of recycled products apply to any state‑funded construction project, whenever the administering agency and project owner determine that such products are cost‑effective and readily available.
The state goal to achieve a 50 percent recycling rate is extended to 2007.
A state goal of establishing programs to eliminate residential yard debris in landfills by 2012 is adopted for areas where alternatives to disposal are readily available and effective. A definition of yard debris is adopted.
The Department of General Administration must develop goals and procedures for state use of recycled and environmentally preferable products.
Solid waste collection companies are allowed to retain up to 30 percent of the revenue they receive for recyclable materials, if they submit a plan that is consistent with local solid waste management plans and that shows how they will use that revenue to increase recycling. The remaining revenue is passed to residential customers. The Utilities and Transportation Commission must evaluate the effectiveness of this incentive and its effect on cost to customers and report to the Legislature in 2005.
The Department of Ecology must evaluate by December 31, 2002, the use of scrap tires as alternative daily cover for landfills and the feasibility of establishing and maintaining an incentive program for scrap tire market development.
The Department of Ecology must work with stakeholders to track tire recycling and report annually.
The Department of Transportation must evaluate the use of scrap tires in civil engineering and highway construction applications and report to the Legislature by November 30, 2003.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: None.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: No one.