Product stewardship in Washington - Nov. 2018

Washington state has 4 product stewardship laws. According to the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), California has the most product stewardship laws (9), followed closely by Vermont (8 laws) and Maine (7 laws). Oregon has two programs (paint and electronics) while British Columbia has 12 stewardship programs with more coming soon.

  • LightRecycle, Washington's statewide mercury-containing light product stewardship program, has recycled over 4 million lights since 2015.
  • E-Cycle Washington has recycled over 385 million pounds of electronics, from 300 collection sites, since 2009.
  • Secure Medicine Return drop off kiosks are available in KingKitsapPierce, and Snohomishcounties and will expand statewide, under the manufacturer funded and Department of Health overseen Safe Medication Return program, in 2019-2020. Read in the Everett Herald why the solution to the medication problem is "to put the responsibility back in the hands of the pharmaceutical companies," requiring manufacturers to pay for pharmaceutical collection and safe disposal.
  • Photovoltaic Module Stewardship: Manufacturers of solar panels (photovoltaic or "PV" modules) are required to finance a convenient and environmentally sound takeback and recycling system at no cost to the owner of the PV module – by January 2021.