Bags and Beverage Deposits: A preview of two bills scheduled to be heard tomorrow

I’m working on a story for tomorrow about two different bills related to waste and the environment.

Senate bill 5780 would put into place a state-wide ban on plastic carry-out bags for retail stores. Stores would have to provide bags that are made of compostable plastic, recyclable paper, or another reusable material.

This bill would expand similar bag requirements already in place in the cities of Seattle, Bellingham, Edmonds, and Mukilteo, statewide.

The focus of the bill is on bags distributed at registers, making bags used to hold things found within the store, such as produce or ice, exempt. Any store that stocked plastic grocery bags would face a fine of up to $250 per day.

A similar bag ban has been proposed in the House by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon and is scheduled to be read in February.

Plastic bags aren’t the only issue: Lawmakers will also consider a bill to create a deposit system for beverage containers. Other states — like Oregon — have similar systems, which encourage recycling and reduce litter. But in Washington, the idea has always failed: Voters have rejected three statewide ballot measures since 1970 and since 2000, five bills addressing the topic have been introduced, all of which have died in committee.

This bill would mean that only beverages with a 10 cent or more refund value would be sold in the state, and that beverages connected by plastic six-pack rings cannot be sold in Washington.

If the bill goes into effect, customers will be able to get a refund on their beverage bottles purchased in Washington from distributors or refund redemption centers.

There is no estimate on the approximate cost of implementation of this bill yet, but staff members are working on preparing a financial report.

Tags: beverage rebate, recycling