Brief Description: Requiring recycling receptacles at official gatherings and sports facilities.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Lantz, Goodman, Sells, McCoy, Hunt and Simpson).

House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources
Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications

Background:

Recycling is regulated by local governments. Each county and city is required to make a comprehensive solid waste management plan that includes a recycling plan. Local governmental ordinances may require property owners and occupants of premises to use a recyclable materials collection system. The county is authorized to contract with an organization to collect recyclable materials from residences and other premises.

The Department of Ecology (DOE) is authorized as the coordinating agency for the statewide waste reduction, anti-litter, and recycling campaign.

The Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Litter Control Account in the State Treasury is used by the DOE for waste reduction, litter control, and recycling activities. The DOE provides funding to local governments to establish, conduct, and evaluate programs for recycling.

Certain areas are required to have recycling receptacles. Marinas with 30 or more slips and airports providing regularly scheduled commercial passenger service must provide adequate recycling receptacles. The State Parks and Recreation Commission is required to provide waste reduction and recycling information in each state park campground and day-use area, and provide recycling receptacles in the day-use and campground areas of at least 40 state parks.

Summary:

A recycling program will be provided at every official gathering and sports facility in communities where there is an established curbside and business recycling service. Vendors selling single-use aluminum, glass, or plastic bottles or cans are required to provide the recycling receptacles or reverse vending machines and provide service for the transport and recycling of the materials they sell.

An official gathering is defined as any event where authorization to hold the event is approved, recognized, or issued by a government, public body, or authority, including fairs, musical concerts, athletic games, festivals, tournaments, or any other formal or ceremonial event during which beverages are sold by a vendor or vendors in single-use aluminum, glass, or plastic bottles or cans.

Sports facilities are defined as outdoor recreational sports facilities, including athletic fields and ball parks at which beverages are sold by a vendor or vendors in single-use aluminum, glass, or plastic bottles or cans.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   71   25
Senate   40   7

Effective: July 22, 2007