H-1300              _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 673

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Valle, Lewis, Unsoeld, and Lux

Read first time 2/6/87 and referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs.

AN ACT Relating to solid waste; adding a new section to chapter 70.54 RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     In spite of their convenience and growing popularity, disposable diapers pose myriad ecological and sanitary problems.  Primary among these concerns is that most disposable diapers enter the household trash stream and ultimately end up in municipal landfills. This unsanitary practice of commingling sewage and solid waste in landfills results in increased volumes of solid waste, difficulty in recovering and reusing the commingled, discarded materials, and a greater possibility for viruses and bacteria to survive and spread.  Because of the health and safety dangers posed by the continued use of nonbiodegradable-plastic disposable diapers, it is the legislature's intent to require the use of biodegradable plastics that are currently available in disposable diapers.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 70.54 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) No disposable diapers containing nonbiodegradable plastics may be sold in this state after July 1, 1988.

(2) A violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable in accordance with RCW 9A.20.021.