Chapter 173-350 WAC – Organics Management

Beginning in 2027, a new law requires certain local jurisdictions in Washington to separate yard waste from all other waste bound for the landfill, so that it can be collected and processed to reduce its production of methane and other greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. This law expands in 2030 to include the required separation and collection of food waste.

Ecology is proposing amendments to the solid waste handling standards related to organic materials management under Chapter 173-350 WAC to account for modern technology and common handling practices.

Rulemaking timeline

Timeline

Announcement phase (CR-101)

Filing date:
Dec. 10, 2024


Announcement documents

Rule development phase

Dec. 10, 2024 – Spring 2026

Public input & involvement

Date Documents Location
Thursday
Feb. 6, 2025
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Webinar
Monday
June 30, 2025
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Webinar

Wednesday
Nov. 5, 2025
12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

  • None
Webinar

Wednesday
Nov. 5, 2025
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

 

Webinar

Comment period Oct. 21 – Dec. 12, 2025

We are holding an informal commend period from Oct. 21, 2025 to Dec. 12, 2025.

View comments

Comment period June 24 – Aug. 3, 2025

We held an informal comment period from June. 24, 2025 – Aug. 3, 2025.

View comments

Comment period Jan. 14 – March. 31, 2025

We held an informal comment period from Jan. 14, 2025 – March 31, 2025.

View comments

Rule proposal phase (CR-102)

Filing date:
June 22, 2026

Rule proposal documents:

Comment period

Comments due Aug. 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Ecology will review all comments received. See above for documents related to the Proposal Phase of the rulemaking.

You can submit comments through one of the following ways:

Submit comments online

Mail to:

Chris Fredley
Department of Ecology
Solid Waste Management
PO BOX 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600

Public hearings

At each public hearing, Ecology will provide a presentation on the proposed rule language, a questions and answers session, and an opportunity for participants to provide formal oral comment on the proposed rule. You may use the links below to register for each hearing. After registering, you will receive a link to join the meeting.

Public Hearing #1
Date: Aug. 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM  (Pacific Time)
Location: Zoom webinar (Register)

Public Hearing #2
Date: Aug. 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM  (Pacific Time) 
Location: Zoom webinar (Register)

Additional languages

Español (Spanish) 中文 (Chinese) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) 한국어 (Korean) Pусский (Russian) Yкраїнський (Ukrainian)

Accessibility

To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.