SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1340

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Rust, Walker, Valle, Ferguson, Unsoeld, Brekke, Sprenkle, Holland, P. King, May, Pruitt, Lux, Spanel and Todd)

Creating an office of waste reduction.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 18, 1988; February 23, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Owen, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

                  February 24, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 23, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The state's top waste management priority for both solid and hazardous waste is waste reduction.  Waste reduction can be economically beneficial to businesses because it reduces disposal costs and liability for cleanups and third party damages. 

Over the past five years, at least ten states have implemented some type of waste reduction program including such elements as education, technical assistance, excellence awards, and research grants.

In October of 1987, the Washington legislature enacted the state Hazardous Waste Cleanup (Superfund) law.  Superfund directs the Department of Ecology to contract with a nonprofit organization to establish a Pollution Prevention Pays Program that will provide limited technical assistance to businesses generating hazardous waste.

SUMMARY:

An office of Waste Reduction is established in the department to encourage voluntary waste reduction.  The office shall be the coordinating center for all state agency programs that provide technical assistance to waste generators.  Waste generators include all individuals, businesses, governmental agencies, and other organizations that generate solid or hazardous waste.

To encourage voluntary waste reduction, the office shall provide advice and consultation, sponsor technical workshops and seminars, administer a data base and hotline referral service, administer a research and development program, coordinate a public education program, and develop higher education courses and curricula.

The department's director is authorized to solicit and accept gifts and to enter into contracts.

The office shall submit a quarterly progress report to the director of the department.  The director shall submit an annual progress report to the appropriate environmental standing committees of the Legislature beginning December 31, 1988.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

Broadens the definition of "waste" to include hazardous wastes, and air and water pollutants.

Clarifies that institutions of higher education have authority for developing waste reduction courses and curricula.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 18, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: David Smukowski, Boeing (for); Bruce Wisbart, Sierra Club (for); Ian MacGowan, American Electronics Association (for); Gary Smith, IBA (for); Betty Tabbutt, WEC (for)