Non-hazardous Solid Waste and Recycling - Washington

Washington incorporates by reference the federal regulations for Non-Hazardous Solid Waste and Recycling; however, the state adds further requirements.

A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• Washington state uses the term "dangerous waste" rather than the federal law's term of "hazardous waste." This is because Washington state's Dangerous Waste Regulations are more protective than federal laws. Some common examples of dangerous waste are:
  • Aerosol cans, Batteries, Cleaners and disinfectants, Electronic waste (computers, TVs, laptops, cellphones, etc.), Lights, lightbulbs, and lamps.
• Washington's Plastic Bag Ban reduces plastic pollution by prohibiting single-use plastic carryout bags. Stores may provide reusable bags for a charge.
• Washington’s single-use serviceware law restricts restaurants and food service businesses from automatically providing single-use food serviceware with customer orders. Single use serviceware items may still be provided to customers who request them or select them from a self-service station provided by the food service business. The food serviceware covered in this law includes many plastic items, like utensils, straws, condiment packages, and cup lids for cold beverages. This may also include some non-plastics, like compostable items.
• Washington’s post-consumer recycled content law sets minimum recycled content requirements in the plastic packaging for certain types of products. These requirements begin for plastic trash bags and beverage containers in 2023. In 2024, State agencies may only buy plastic trash bags that meet the post-consumer recycled content requirements. Producers of these products must annually register, report, and pay fees. We are conducting rulemaking to further clarify the law.
• Washington’s expanded polystyrene law prohibits the sale of specific types of expanded polystyrene products, starting in 2023 with packing peanuts. The restrictions will apply to food service containers and recreational coolers beginning in 2024.
• 2028 — Washington’s minimum recycled content requirements take effect for plastic milk bottles, and small plastic wine bottles. We are conducting rulemaking to further clarify the law.

Related Information 

• Common dangerous waste - Washington State Department of Ecology
• Dangerous Waste Regulations
• Construction & demolition - Washington State Department of Ecology
• Reducing & recycling waste - Washington State Department of Ecology
• RECYCLING, WASTE, AND LITTER REDUCTION
• SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT—REDUCTION AND RECYCLING
• Solid Waste Handling Standards

Citation 

• Chapter 173-303 WAC
• Chapter 173-350 WAC
• Chapter 70A.245 RCW
• Chapter 70A.205 RCW