Washington selects Circular Action Alliance as PRO

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has named Circular Action Alliance (CAA) the producer responsibility organization (PRO) to lead implementation of the Recycling Reform Act, the state’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for residential paper and product packaging.

In this role, CAA will work closely with Ecology, producers and other interest-holders to implement an EPR program that is designed to expand recycling access for Washington residents and invest in a more effective and efficient recycling system in the state. The nonprofit will support producers in fulfilling their requirements under Washington’s EPR law, including reporting, fee administration and compliance with established recycling and reuse targets.

With the addition of Washington, CAA now serves as the approved PRO in six states, including California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota and Oregon, which the nonprofit says reflects its expertise in launching and managing EPR programs across diverse regulatory and operational environments.

“We are honored to be implementing Washington’s program and look forward to collaborating with producers, service providers and communities across the state,” says Jeff Fielkow, CEO of CAA. “Our role is to help producers meet their obligations under the law by building a coordinated, efficient program that supports innovation, accountability and responsible packaging stewardship. Drawing on our experience implementing EPR programs in multiple states, we are focused on delivering practical, consistent solutions that work for Washington’s recycling system.”

Washington’s legislature passed the Recycling Reform Act, or S.B. 5284, last April. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law in mid-May of last year.

Under the legislation, packaging producers would be responsible for much of the costs of collecting recyclables, and residents will see a 90 percent reduction in their household recycling bills by 2032. 

Ecology estimates the legislation will expand recycling services to an additional 500,000 homes in Washington, most notably in rural areas and multifamily residences, and increase the recycling rate from 40 percent to 66 percent. Currently, only 58 percent of jurisdictions in Washington provide access to curbside recycling, and 11 counties have no curbside recycling at all, resulting in more than half of all paper and packaging ending up in landfills.

The bill defines packaging as including various materials, such as single-use items used in food or beverage consumption. Fourteen categories of materials are exempted from the bill, including packaging for bulk construction materials, medical devices, drugs, hazardous materials, products distributed only to commercial or business entities or packaging that meets specified recycling rates and other criteria.