SB 5502 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning recycling and waste reduction.

SB 5502 establishes a refund program for glass, plastic, and metal beverage containers (40ml to 1 gallon) in Washington, requiring brands to fund the system. Consumers receive refunds when returning covered containers to designated redemption sites or alternative return options like reverse vending machines. The law aims to increase recycling rates, reduce litter (noting Washington's annual 11.6 million pounds of park litter), and support a circular economy by making brands responsible for end-of-life container management. It directly affects beverage brands, redemption site operators, and consumers who return containers.

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 Feb 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Second Substitute Bill · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from the first substitute to the second substitute and moved from the Environment, Energy & Technology committee to Ways & Means, indicating a shift in legislative focus or sponsorship strategy. The text was significantly expanded to include detailed amendments to existing waste management laws, clarifying how penalties and funds are handled. Most notably, the bill now explicitly requires producers to pay annual registration fees to the department of ecology, replacing a previous one-time payment structure, and extends the timeline for implementing the recycling program by one year.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened to include specific amendments to existing RCW sections regarding the pollution control hearings board and penalty enforcement, ensuring the new recycling program fits within the state's broader environmental regulatory framework.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the recycling refund producer responsibility organization to implement the program was extended from July 1, 2028, to July 1, 2029.

FISCAL

A new requirement was added for the recycling refund producer responsibility organization to pay an annual registration fee to the department of ecology starting July 1, 2027, replacing a previous one-time payment.

DEFINITION

The definition of a 'full service redemption site' was updated to include a hyphen ('full-service'), and the definition of 'alternative access redemption options' was similarly updated.

REQUIREMENT

Retail establishments are now explicitly required to remit the refund value of covered beverage containers to the recycling refund producer responsibility organization, in addition to charging the refund value to consumers.

New requirements were added for service providers receiving payments from the recycling program to display their net price to customers and pass applicable payments through to curbside collection customers.

ENFORCEMENT

The bill was amended to include specific RCW sections that define which decisions by the department and other agencies can be appealed to the pollution control hearings board, integrating the new recycling program into existing enforcement procedures.

The account where penalties are deposited was changed from the 'recycling refund program account' to the 'recycling enhancement account' created under RCW 70A.245.100.

Bill → Substitute Bill · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill was amended to refine the definitions and operational requirements for Washington's new beverage container refund program. Key changes include expanding the scope of covered containers to include smaller sizes, adding new definitions for 'canneries' and 'reuse,' adjusting registration deadlines, and clarifying how refunds are handled for nonprofit organizations and retail establishments.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include smaller beverage containers (down to 40 milliliters) and added specific provisions for 'canneries' (individual collectors) and 'reuse' systems. It also clarified the roles of retail establishments and nonprofit organizations in the refund process.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'canner' (individual collectors for income), 'reuse' (returning containers to the marketplace for continued use), and 'responsible end market' (entities meeting environmental and safety standards).

Updated the definition of 'covered beverage container' to explicitly include containers with capacities ranging from 40 milliliters to one gallon.

TIMELINE

Adjusted the producer registration deadline from April 1, 2026, to April 15, 2026, and changed the initial fee payment requirement to occur before a brand is offered for sale.

REQUIREMENT

Revised the Producer Responsibilities section to require producers to pay initial fees upon registration rather than providing detailed brand information at that stage.

Changed the requirement for redemption sites to include 'alternative access redemption options' and 'contracted redemption pick-up operators' as valid methods to meet convenience standards.

Updated the performance requirements to focus on increasing 'reuse rates' annually rather than developing a specific reuse and refill target.

Modified the reporting requirements for material recovery facilities to include verification that end markets are responsible and compliant with program requirements.

Clarified that the recycling refund producer responsibility organization must provide pick-up services for containers collected by nonprofit organizations serving very low-income individuals.

ELIGIBILITY

Added 'Government entities' and specific charitable organizations to the list of entities excluded from being classified as 'producers' under the act.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 AM.

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors