Chapter 173-950 WAC - Recycling Reform
Ecology is starting rulemaking for a new rule, chapter 173-950 WAC. This rule will guide implementation of the Recycling Reform Act, a law that creates an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for materials used to package consumer goods and paper products. Washington is the seventh state to adopt a packaging EPR program - a system where producers of covered materials pay fees to fund the state's residential recycling system.
This program covers packaging for consumer goods sold to Washington residents such as boxes, bottles, and cans made from paper, plastic, metal, or glass. Paper products such as flyers, brochures, booklets, catalogs, magazines, and printed paper are also covered. The law requires producers of these products to join and fund a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO). The PRO will work with local governments and solid waste service providers to roll out the program by 2030.
Ecology must adopt rules that will guide implementation of this new program. Rules will clarify when a new program plan needs to be submitted and establish what the PRO pays to cover the agency’s costs of implementing, administering, and enforcing the program requirements.
Rulemaking timeline
Announcement phase (CR-101)
Filing date:
March 19, 2026
Announcement documents
Rule development phase
March 19, 2026 – October 2027Public input & involvement
| Date | Meeting | Location |
| May 27, 2026 at 2 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) |
Rulemaking advisory committee meeting #1 |
Webinar |
| Aug. 19, 2026 at 1 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) |
Rulemaking advisory committee meeting #2 |
Webinar (Register) |
Public Meetings
Stakeholders and members of the public are invited to ask questions and provide input. Ecology plans to hold recurring meetings until late 2027 when we expect to issue our formal rule proposal. The public will have additional opportunities to provide comment during the formal public comment period and during one of the public hearings that will be announced after the formal rule proposal is issued.
Environmental Justice
Ecology will complete an Environmental Justice Assessment (EJA) in accordance RCW 70A.02.060 as part of this rulemaking.
Comment period May 14 – June 24, 2026
We invite you to comment on draft rule language, sections of chapter 173-950 WAC, to guide implementation of Washington's new extended producer responsibility program for packaging and paper products.
Comment period Aug. 5 – Sept. 2, 2026
We invite you to comment on draft rule language for sections of chapter 173-950 WAC Recycling Reform.
Related links
Contact information
Chris Fredley
SWM program rule coordinator
chris.fredley@ecy.wa.gov
564-233-1615
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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.