Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Ways & Means Committee

HB 2287

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires all state agencies to purchase 100 percent recycled content paper by December 31, 2009.
Requires the Office of Waste Reduction to coordinate with each state agency in developing and implementing a paper conservation program and a paper recycling program.

Background:

Office of Waste Reduction.

The Office of Waste Reduction is within the Department of Ecology. Its purpose is to encourage the voluntary reduction of hazardous substance usage and waste generation by waste generators and hazardous substance users.

The Office of Waste Reduction is the coordinating center for all state agency programs that provide technical assistance to waste generators and hazardous substance users and serves as the state's lead agency and promoter for such programs.

Summary of Bill:

By December 31, 2009, all state agencies must purchase 100 percent recycled content paper. State agencies are encouraged to give priority to purchasing from companies that produce paper in facilities that generate energy from a renewable energy source.

The Office of Waste Reduction must coordinate with each state agency in developing and implementing (1) a paper conservation program, where each state agency must try to conserve paper by at least 30 percent of their current paper use; and (2) a paper recycling program to help encourage recycling of all paper products.

"State agencies" include, but are not limited to, colleges, community colleges, universities, offices of elected and appointed officers, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and administrative departments of state government.