BILL REQ. #:  H-2501.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/03/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to requiring state agencies to use one hundred percent recycled content paper; adding a new section to chapter 43.19A RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that there are economic and environmental advantages to having state agencies switch to one hundred percent recycled content paper and to reduce the amount of paper used by the state.
     Using one hundred percent recycled content paper will help create jobs, as the paper is made locally in Washington state and that using the paper is in tune with our duty to be good stewards of the land, as it is a sustainable and renewable resource.
     The legislature intends for three pilot programs within state government to put programs in place to use one hundred percent recycled paper, recycle the paper that they use, and set a goal of reducing overall paper use by thirty percent through conservation efforts. These programs will be used as an example for all state agencies and in the future, if the pilot programs are successful, be a model for all state agencies to follow. The model of recycling paper, using one hundred percent recycled content paper, and setting a goal of reducing overall paper use by thirty percent through conservation efforts will not only lessen our environmental footprint, but cut the costs to our state's taxpayers.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.19A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By December 31, 2009, the department shall establish a pilot program for three state agencies: One small agency with fewer than one hundred employees, one medium agency with between one hundred and five hundred employees, and one large agency with more than five hundred employees.
     (2) By July 1, 2010, the pilot program agencies shall:
     (a) Purchase one hundred percent recycled content white printing and copy paper. The pilot program agencies are encouraged to give priority to purchasing from companies that produce paper in facilities that generate energy from a renewable energy source;
     (b) Develop and implement a paper conservation program. The pilot program agencies shall endeavor to conserve paper by at least thirty percent of their current paper use;
     (c) Develop and implement a paper recycling program to help encourage recycling of all paper products with a goal of recycling one hundred percent of all copy and printing paper.
     (3) The department shall submit a report to the legislature by December 1, 2013, that contains the amount each pilot program agency spent on paper and the amount of paper each agency utilized.