Zero Waste Washington

Description

Mission

Zero Waste Washington drives policy change for a healthy and waste-free world. We envision a just, equitable, and sustainable future where we all produce, consume, and reuse responsibly. 

What we do…

 We work to make trash obsolete using three strategies:

• Help pass laws
• Conduct research
• Do pilot projects

Our Focus Areas…

Promoting Producer Responsibility

We promote producer responsibility to address difficult-to-handle materials like electronics, holding manufacturers responsible for providing and paying for appropriate recycling, reduction or disposal. 

Reducing Plastic Pollution

We work to reduce plastic pollution in our waterways and compost, including microplastics. We especially focus on decreasing single-use plastic items such as thin-film plastic bags and plastic foodware.     

Encouraging Reuse, Repair and Sharing

We facilitate and support a culture of reuse, repair, repurpose, rental and sharing through community projects. We promote a repair economy for Washington, including tool libraries, fix-it fairs, and support for local shops. 

Removing Toxic Chemicals

We strive to get toxic chemicals out of products. These include plasticizers (phthalates) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often found in in food serviceware and flame retardants. 

Promoting Redesign

We promote product redesign, especially for packaging, to prevent waste. We advocate for a circular-economy to conserve resources and support reuse of materials.   We host business accelerators to spur innovation in Washington.  

Driving the Market and Reducing Contamination

We help drive the market for recyclable and compostable materials. We aim for waste reduction, then beneficial use of materials, and then recycling and composting for the rest.  

Highlights of the 2026 Legislative Session! 

In the 2026 legislative session, we helped pass several number of bills that will reduce waste including removing liability for donating used baby gear - especially car seats! - and a bill that will advance industrial symbiosis (one business using the waste of another as a benefit), and more. We also did defense on an industry bill that would have seriously rolled back protections for the public from lead contamination in cookware (the final bill is OK, but the initial industry proposal would have been significantly bad for public health). We are grateful to our wonderful legislative champions and many partners. Many other zero waste-related bills advanced to some degree, most had hearings, this year.  And we plan to come back with these next year (bottle bill, plastic bag ban, mattress recycling, microplastic filters on washing machines, etc)! Please see details about all the bills here: https://zerowastewashington.org/legislative-work/ 

Our Story… 

In 1978, a group gathered to advocate for a Washington State “bottle bill.” The initiative failed, but they persevered and formed a nonprofit to tackle the broader issues of waste reduction and recycling in Washington State.   

Over more than 40 years, our organization has worked with many partners for passage of cutting-edge legislation to improve our solid waste system, reduce toxic chemicals, and make it easier for residents and businesses to reduce the extraction of resources from our planet, lessen climate change impacts, and support environmental equity.  

Recognition

Zero Waste Washington would like to acknowledge the generous support of our board and our members and donors for a zero waste future. Thank you to our wonderful anonymous donor for providing GiveBIG match. We are deeply grateful to have you all by our side.