Last Updated on May 10, 2022 by Ithos Global Regulatory Team
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has signed state Bill SB 5022, which requires plastic packaging producers to meet minimum post consumer recycled content for household and personal care product plastic packaging sold in the state.
Plastic household cleaning and personal care product container means a bottle, jug, or other rigid container with a neck or mouth narrower than the base. It has a minimum capacity of eight fluid ounces or its equivalent volume, and a maximum capacity of five fluid gallons or its equivalent volume.
Manufacturers must meet the new requirements for minimum post consumer recycled content for affected packaging according to the following timetable:
- 15% by January 1, 2025
- 25% by January 1, 2028
- 50% by January 1, 2031
The bill covers a wide range of products including personal care products, household products, food, and nutritional supplements. Other business sectors may have different deadlines.
Companies selling products that are included in the bill must register with the Washington State Department of Ecology by April 1, 2022 and annually thereafter. A list of the producers of covered products and the brand names of the covered products April 1, 2026, along with virgin and post consumer plastic content for each covered product must be reported.
Manufacturers that do not meet the minimum post-consumer recycled content requirements will face financial penalties for non-compliance.
