SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6579

BYSenators Metcalf, Benitz, Anderson and Bailey

Creating programs to recycle newsprint.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 17, 1990; January 24, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6579 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Benitz, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Atsushi Kiuchi (786-7708)

                January 26, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, JANUARY 24, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Recycling old newspapers to produce newsprint has both economic and environmental benefits and is in keeping with the waste reduction and recycling priorities of the Solid Waste Management Reform Act.  The current soft market for old newspapers is expected to improve as newsprint production increases to meet an expanding demand.

Currently 30 percent of the old newspapers in the Pacific Northwest are exported and 13 percent are recycled in the state.  A new de-inking and recycled newsprint production facility is currently under construction in Longview to meet the present and anticipated market demands.

SUMMARY:

Findings:  Encouraging newsprint producers to use old newspapers, and encouraging voluntary reporting by consumers will save landfill space, reduce energy consumption and preserve forest resources.

Definitions:  "Consumer of newsprint" means a person who uses newsprint in a commercial printing or publishing operation.  "Newsprint" means uncoated paper generally used for the publication of newspapers, commercial advertising inserts, directories, or mailers, and is made primarily from mechanical woodpulps combined with some chemical woodpulps.  "Newsprint" also includes paper made from old newspapers that have been de-inked using the recycled pulp in lieu of virgin pulp.  "Recycled-content newsprint" means newsprint in which not less than 25 percent of the fiber consists of post consumer waste paper.

Implementation:  All newsprint producers in the state shall indicate on the label the percentage of recycled content in their product.  On January 1, 1991, a voluntary program for use of recycled content newsprint shall be implemented by the Department of Ecology and a phased-in use schedule will be established.

A phased-in schedule of annual goals for the use of recycled content newsprint is established, beginning with 20 percent in 1992 and reaching a maximum 75 percent by 2000.  Consumers meeting the use goals are authorized to state on their products that they have met state recycling goals.

Use Reports:  Each March, consumers shall report to the Department of Ecology on the number of tons of newsprint used, and the percentage of recycled content in the newsprint.  The department shall report annually to the Legislature.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Recycled-content newsprint means newsprint in which not less than 25 percent of its fiber consists of post consumer waste.  The voluntary goals for use of recycled-content newsprint are based on tonnage used by the consumer.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested January 12, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified:   Paul Conrad, Allied Daily Newspapers; Ted Natt, Longview Daily News; Miles Turnbull, Washington Newspaper Publishers Assn.; Earl Pratt, Michelsen Packaging Co.; Nancy Pearson, Washington Citizens for Recycling; Bill Alkire, Department of Ecology