2025 Washington state legislative preview

Individual action like dropping hazardous waste off at a regional collection facility or choosing safer alternative products helps keep hazardous materials out of our bodies and the environment. But reducing hazardous exposures shouldn’t only fall on individuals. That’s where another piece in the big picture of managing hazardous waste – upstream policy solutions - can help. 

Upstream solutions created through policies and laws work to reduce human and environmental exposures to hazardous materials at their source. They do things like regulate the use of hazardous chemicals, hold producers of hazardous materials responsible for all parts of a product’s lifecycle, support research into hazardous waste’s health and environmental impacts, and enable local government agencies to increase access to safer hazardous waste disposal.

As this year’s legislative session kicks off on Jan. 13, read on to learn about some of the hazardous waste policies and upstream solutions the Haz Waste Program is tracking in 2025. Stay tuned here for progress updates in the coming months, too.

Assessing the impact of hazardous materials

Addressing sampling or testing of biosolids for PFAS chemicals (SB5033)

Current status: Bill prefiled in Washington State Senate

What it is: This bill addresses the sampling and testing of biosolids – also known as municipal sewer sludge - for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances) chemicals. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" due to their ability to remain in the environment indefinitely. The bill requires the Washington State Department of Ecology to establish PFAS sampling and testing requirements for biosolids, complete an analysis of PFAS levels in Washington state's biosolids, and submit a summary report to the legislature with recommendations for future action. It also allows for community and scientific collaboration and enables local governments to address PFAS in their own ways. 

What it might mean for you: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (commonly known as PFAS) can be found in many different products—from fast-food packaging, to water-resistant clothing, cookware, and many personal care items. There are hundreds of PFAS in commercial and everyday use, and research shows exposure can lead to health impacts for people and the environment. Understanding the problem of PFAS in our region in terms of exposure levels and health impacts can help develop future innovative solutions to reduce PFAS impact, and it can even inform which products you select when you shop.

Extended producer responsibility for hazardous products

Battery product stewardship for electric vehicles (EVs): Improving end-of-life management for EV batteries

Current status: Not filed yet

What it is: With a shift toward cleaner energy solutions and more electronic vehicles entering the consumer market, the use of batteries to power EVs is booming. These batteries are commonly lithium-ion or larger than batteries you might use daily, meaning they require special management from design to the end of their lifecycle. EV batteries frequently spark dangerous and expensive fires in waste management facilities and can pollute our soils and waterways even further if improperly disposed. Because of their unique characteristics, EV batteries require a battery stewardship program that meant to make safe disposal options for these batteries more accessible and convenient, reducing the impact of these hazardous products on people and the environment of our region.

What it might mean for you: EVs often rely on lithium-ion batteries, which contain dangerous metals and chemicals that pose environmental and human health and safety threats, especially if disposed or stored improperly where they may spark fires or leak pollutants. This bill could improve your access to more free, convenient ways to dispose EV batteries in Washington State. It also further protects the environment and our waterways from hazardous materials by properly managing batteries at the end of their lifecycle, while also acknowledging the unique elements of EV batteries compared to traditional batteries.

Other hazardous waste-related policies

Ban on flavored tobacco: Keeping hazardous vaping devices out of waste streams (HB 1203 + SB5183)

Current status: Bills filed in Washington State House and Senate (HB1203 + SB5183) 

What it does: Disposable vapes, vape cartridges, and e-cigarettes are all rapidly emerging as a major waste stream for waste management organizations, especially due to their embedded batteries, electronics, and liquid cartridges.  Banning disposable vaping devices in the state would reduce the volume of vapes, vape cartridges, and e-cigarettes being thrown away or left in our environment to pollute our communities and neighborhoods. Additional legislation in the future could limit sales of vaping devices to those that are rechargeable, refillable, and capable of having their batteries removed by an average person, as well as those not marketed or promoted as disposable.  

What it might mean for you: Allowing the sale of only specific kinds of vaping devices that are rechargeable, refillable, or able to have batteries removed could significantly reduce the volume of disposable vapes in waste streams. In turn, less waste will be produced, and there will be fewer risks of improperly disposed vapes leaking hazardous materials that could harm human health into the environment.

Right to repair: Supporting the servicing and right to repair digital devices

Current status: Bills introduced in the WA State House and Senate in 2024; bills expected to be filed in 2025 session

What it does: Ongoing consideration of right to repair in Washington State follows national advancements in right to repair legislation that promotes consumers’ abilities to fix their own products. It requires manufacturers to make available to consumers and repair shops the tools, parts and information to repair all manner of electronic devices—from computers and phones to household appliances to farm equipment and more. 

What it might mean for you: Currently, manufacturers use a variety of tactics to prevent consumers from repairing products, which leads to stifled competition, short life cycles of products, and producing increased waste (which all residents pay for). “Right to repair” legislation enables residents and businesses to freely tinker and repair their own home electronics, appliances, automobiles, and other products. Right to repair legislation can reduce disposability and help keep electronic waste out of landfills and the environment—ultimately shifting the demand for new devices and the harmful mining practices required for their manufacture. Right to repair also gives consumers more options for maintaining and repairing their personal devices.
For an in-depth look into hazardous waste-related state and federal policies we are continuing to track, check out the Haz Waste Program’s 2025 Legislative and Regulatory Priorities in our Document Library.  

Contact:

Dave Ward, Policy and Planning Manager
daward@kingcounty.gov | 206-491-5368 

Pam Johnson, Policy Advisor 
pam.johnson@seattle.gov | 206-833-1735