Write your state senator: Support the RENEW Act (SB5697)

Washington has a waste problem. Plastics have been found from the deepest trenches of the ocean to the mountaintops and inland rivers of the Pacific Northwest. Plastic production has increased by 2000% since the 1960's and continues to rise, yet only 17% of plastic waste is actually recycled in Washington.

All the while, Washington's landfills are overflowing and our recycling system isn't functioning as effectively as it could. To fix Washington's waste problem, we need to make manufacturers and brand-owners financially responsible for the full life cycle of their products and the packaging they choose to use.

Write to your state senator to ask them to support extended producer responsibility legislation in Washington (SB 5697) today.

Subject: Support SB 5697: Fix recycling, reduce waste.

Your Letter:

Washington's mountains, beaches, rivers and Puget Sound are what makes this state so special. Unfortunately, plastic pollution has been found from ocean trenches to the tops of our mountains.

Meanwhile, global plastic production continues to increase, while our recycling rates in Washington have been stagnant and even decreased. Only 17% of plastic waste is actually recycled in Washington, and our overall recovery rate of 54% leaves much to be desired. I know Washington can do better. Our neighbors to the north in British Columbia, Canada achieved an overall recycling recovery rate of 85%!

To fix Washington's waste problem, we need to make manufacturers and brand-owners financially responsible for the full life cycle of their products and the packaging they choose to use. Please support SB 5697 to implement an extended producer responsibility program here in Washington.

It is important to me that manufacturers and brand-owners be financially responsible for the end of life of the packaging and products that they produce. I want companies to have better incentives to use more sustainable packaging, which would actually be recyclable, compostable or reusable. Until Washington State passes an extended producer responsibility system, my community and our environment will bear the financial and environmental costs of our inefficient waste system.

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