HB 1607 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning recycling and waste reduction.

HB 1607 establishes a statewide recycling refund program for glass, plastic, and metal beverage containers in Washington. Under this program, consumers pay a deposit, referred to as an "applicable refund value," when purchasing covered beverages. They can then return the empty containers to designated express or full-service redemption sites to receive their refund back. The bill implements an extended producer responsibility framework, making brand owners responsible for compliance, with the goal of increasing recycling rates, reducing litter, and supporting a circular economy.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand its scope and clarify operational details for Washington's new beverage container recycling refund program. Key changes include broadening the definition of covered containers to include smaller sizes, adding new exemptions for charitable organizations and government entities from producer responsibilities, and adjusting administrative timelines for program registration and implementation.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include smaller beverage containers (down to 40 milliliters) and new definitions for 'canners' and 'responsible end markets.' Eligibility was modified to explicitly exempt government entities and registered 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations from being classified as 'producers' under the law.

ELIGIBILITY

Government entities and registered 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) charitable organizations are now explicitly excluded from the definition of 'producer,' meaning they are not required to join a producer responsibility organization or pay associated fees.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'canner' (individuals who collect containers for income), 'reuse' (containers designed for multiple uses), 'reuse rate,' 'responsible end market,' and 'alternative access redemption options' to clarify program mechanics.

REQUIREMENT

The minimum capacity for a 'covered beverage container' was expanded from 'one gallon or less' to include containers ranging from 40 milliliters to one gallon, bringing more items into the refund program.

The requirement for the producer responsibility organization to submit a one-time payment to the Department of Ecology was moved from May 1, 2026, to May 1, 2026, but the description was updated to cover 'previously incurred costs' in addition to future estimated costs.

New requirements mandate that express redemption sites provide immediate refunds for returns and that the program must offer reasonable opportunities for individuals to receive these immediate refunds.

TIMELINE

Several deadlines were adjusted; for example, producers must now join a producer responsibility organization by April 15, 2026 (moved from April 1), and the producer responsibility organization must establish its initial fee structure by April 1, 2026 (moved from March 1).

TECHNICAL

Section numbers were renumbered throughout the bill (e.g., the Recycling Refund Program Plan is now Section 6, previously Section 7) to reflect the addition of new sections and the removal of the old 'Recycling Refund Producer Responsibility Organization Responsibilities' section.

Second Substitute Bill → Third Substitute Bill · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill was updated from the Second to the Third Substitute Bill, shifting the effective session from 2025 to 2026 and significantly expanding the program's scope. The changes introduce a 'de minimis' exemption for small producers, adjust implementation timelines to start in 2027, and add new requirements for coordinating with existing paper and packaging recycling programs. The bill also strengthens protections for socially vulnerable populations and clarifies how unclaimed refund funds must be used.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new 'de minimis producer' exemption for small businesses and added specific coordination requirements between the new beverage container program and existing paper/packaging extended producer responsibility programs.

TIMELINE

The legislative session changed from 2025 to 2026, and key implementation dates were pushed back by approximately one year (e.g., producer registration moved from April 2026 to April 2027).

ELIGIBILITY

A new 'de minimis producer' definition was added, exempting small businesses with low revenue or low container sales from mandatory membership fees and certain obligations.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate coordination plans between the beverage container program and existing paper/packaging producer responsibility organizations to ensure infrastructure compatibility.

New provisions require recycling refund producer responsibility organizations to provide specific support services and compensation to socially vulnerable populations and overburdened communities.

New rules mandate that standard bags used in bag-drop programs must contain at least 50% post-consumer recycled content.

DEFINITION

Definitions were updated to include 'de minimis producer,' 'online food delivery network company,' and 'overburdened communities,' while clarifying rules for 'on-site consumption.'

FISCAL

Funding mechanisms were adjusted to include a one-time payment from paper and packaging organizations to reimburse the Department of Ecology for startup costs.

TECHNICAL

The bill was reorganized into distinct parts, with the new beverage container program separated from amendments to the existing Recycling Reform Act.

Substitute Bill → Second Substitute Bill · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reclassified from the Environment & Energy committee to the Appropriations committee, shifting the focus toward funding and administrative oversight. Key changes include extending the implementation timeline for the recycling refund program, adding new fees and reporting requirements for producers and the state agency, and creating a new 'recycling enhancement account' to fund enforcement and grants. The bill also clarifies rules for retail establishments and expands the scope of covered containers and redemption site locations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include more detailed administrative requirements for producers and the Department of Ecology, and the applicability of penalties was modified to include a warning period before fines are assessed. The bill now explicitly addresses the funding mechanism through a new state account.

TIMELINE

Deadlines for program implementation were extended; for example, the start of the refund program was moved from July 2028 to July 2029, and registration fees are now due annually starting July 2027.

FISCAL

A new 'recycling enhancement account' was created in RCW 70A.245.100 to hold penalties and fund grants to local governments, replacing the previous 'recycling refund program account'.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added for producers to pay annual registration fees and submit detailed sales data, and for the Department of Ecology to determine fees based on upcoming fiscal year costs.

Retail establishments are now required to remit refund values to the program organization and provide point-of-sale transaction data, in addition to charging the refund value.

ENFORCEMENT

Penalty enforcement was modified to require a written warning and a 60-day grace period before penalties can be assessed for non-compliant producers.

DEFINITION

Definitions for redemption sites were updated to include 'full-service' and 'alternative access' options, and the list of locations where express redemption sites can be placed was expanded.

TECHNICAL

The bill was moved from the Environment & Energy committee to the Appropriations committee, and the reading date was updated to reflect the new legislative session timeline.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Rules Committee relieved of further consideration.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

lower

Apr 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Consideration.

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 4:00 PM.

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 1:30 PM.

lower

1 primary · 11 co-sponsors