Advocating for our members and promoting the value of the Washington Organic Recycling Council to legislators and policymakers is an important priority for WORC. To do this, we address legislative and regulatory issues that affect the Organic Recycling Industry.  Assisting in the coordination of these efforts are WORC's Legislative Committee. The Washington Organic Recycling Council knows that if we don't reuse we will lose, not only for our generation but the generations after us. We support and present bills to Washington legislators that make sense and make change. Be a part of making change. Click on the links below and learn more about current legislation that affects you, your family and your business!

WORC also strives to keep our members informed about Washington’s legislative and regulatory activities through WORC Wednesday e-blasts.

Current Bills

(Click on Bill # to see further Information)

2019 Legislative bills that may impact WORC members
Bill # Short Title Description Status
HB 1114 Reducing the wasting of food in order to fight hunger and reduce environmental impacts. Establishes a goal for the state to reduce by 50% the amount of food waste generated annually by 2030. Requires Ecology with Ag and Health to develop a state wasted food reduction and diversion plan. Writing the a plan is part one; implementation of the plan will heavily impact composters. To Governor for signature
HB 1167 Composting/nuisance lawsuits Asks that composting activities be recognized as agricultural activities and protected from nuisance lawsuits. Did not pass
Companion SB 5476 Composting/nuisance lawsuits Asks that composting activities be recognized as agricultural activities and protected from nuisance lawsuits. Dead
HB 1204 Management of plastic packaging Prohibits a producer of plastic packaging from selling, offering, or distributing plastic packaging unless the producer is participating in a plastic packaging stewardship organization with a plan approved by Ecology. Dead
Companion E2SSSHB 5397 Extended Producer Responsibility fro plastic packaging Relating to the responsible management of plastic packaging. Only 1 reference to cmposting. May eventually help reduce plastic packaging contamination in compost To Governor for signature
SHB 1205 Prohibits single-use plastic bags Prohibits a retail establishment from providing a customer a single-use plastic carryout bag or a paper carryout bag or reusable carryout bag made of film plastic that does not meet recycled content requirements. Requires that plastic bags labeled as compostable be tinted either green or brown. Did not pass
Companion SSB 5323 Reducing plastic bag pollution Reducing pollution from plastic bags by establishing minimum state standards for the use of bags at retail establishments. Requires that plastic bags labeled as compostable be tinted either green or brown. Did not pass
HB 1569 The compostable labeling bill that WORC discussed Concerning marketing the degradability of products Authorizes the AG and local governments to pursue misleading claims for plastic products that claim to be compostable or biodegradable if they are not.Requires green or brown coloring for items identified as compostable. Has the potential to impact composting operations. This is the bill that casued some friction on the Board. Composters that do not accept compostable service ware were concerned this bill might lead to confusion from the general public. Also concerned it might be construed to require them to take compostable service ware. To Governor for signature
HB 1632 Plastic food service ware Effective July 1, 2030, food service businesses are prohibited from selling or providing food in or with plastic food service products, but the business may sell or provide food in compostable food service products that meet specifications. Did not pass
HB 1543 Concerning sustainable recycling Creates a Recycling Development Center. Creates a statewide recycling contamination reduction and outreach plan and includes organics in contamination reduction efforts. To Governor for signature
Companion SB 5545 Concerning sustainable recycling Creates a Recycling Development Center. Creates a statewide recycling contamination reduction and outreach plan and includes organics in contamination reduction efforts. Dead
SB 5187 School composting & recycling Public schools may offer students the opportunity to compost their food waste and to recycle. Authorizes the state to provide free pickup of organics and provide supplies for public schools. Dead
SJM 8005 Biochar Memorium to highlight biochar. May facilitate wider use (and lower cost) of biochar in composting operations. Passed
HB 2095 Supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions on farms and fields Establishing the sustainable farms and fields grant program Dead
Companion SB 5947 WSDA Supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions on farms and fields Establishing the sustainable farms and fields grant program (may be beneficial to compost sales). Did not pass
HB 1441 Relating to financing local infrastructure To asssit in the finanacing of critical infrastructure projects by making loans available to local governments Did not pass
Companion SB5304 Relating to financing local infrastructure To asssit in the finanacing of critical infrastructure projects by making loans available to local governments Did not pass

Below are also a number of links to helpful resources and information:

• Capitol Campus Map
• Capitol Campus Parking
• Dash Shuttle Service To Capitol Campus
• Find Your Legislator & District Map
• Glossary of Legislative Terms
• House Of Representatives Roster of Members
• Senate Roster of Members
• How A Bill Becomes Law

Washington State Legislative Information Center Phone: (800) 562-6000.