Plastic reduction bill advances with bipartisan support

In a bipartisan 12-3 vote, HB 1085, an Act to Reduce Plastic Pollution sponsored by Rep. Sharlett Mena (D- Tacoma) passed the House Environment committee, passing its first hurdle of the legislative session. The bill has now advanced through the House Appropriations committee and received unanimous, bipartisan support in a vote that moved the bill one step closer to becoming a law.

The law would take action in three ways to reduce plastic pollution and unnecessary waste.

• First, where building standards already require drinking fountains, it would also require water bottle refill stations to facilitate and encourage the widespread use of reusable bottles.
• Second, the bill would ban most new foam-filled floats for docks in Washington waters, and study the impacts on the environment of foam-filled docking surrounded with hard plastic.
• Last, it would phase out mini plastic packaging for toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, bath and hand soap, and lotion  for use in hotels and other lodging establishments.

Environment Washington Advocate Pam Clough has testified in support of HB 1085 and we look forward to supporting the bill as it advances through the legislature.