Reducing & recycling waste - Washington State Department of Ecology

Reducing & recycling waste - Washington State Department of Ecology We oversee recycling programs for electronics and mercury-containing lights, and support programs to reduce or reuse food waste and other organic materials. We also work with local governments and businesses to build a more effective and efficient recycling system. Read the Waste in Washington online report Find recycling services in your area Learn about the plastic bag ban How to recycle Information you need to Recycle Right, to find recycling services, and to tell what you can recycle. Recycling locations @ 1-800-RECYCLE Our recycling programs Our recycling programs focused on product stewardship. - Battery stewardship - Electronics: E-Cycle Washington - Mercury lights: LightRecycle - Recycling Reform Act - Paint stewardship: Paint Care Washington - Solar panels Organics & food waste We work to use organic materials to improve soil, produce energy, and reduce waste. - Organics Management Law - Sustainable Food Center - Composting - Anaerobic digesters Plastics Reduce the use of plastics, and recycle plastics - Compostable product labeling requirements - 2021 plastics law - Plastic bag ban - Plastics study - Docks and blocks - Mini toiletries in lodgings law Biosolids Biosolids are an important source of soil nutrients for farmers and land managers. - Learn about biosolids - PFAS in biosolids sampling law Program contacts Strategic policy & planning Solid waste and recycling policies and plans for businesses and agencies. - Contamination reduction - Enacting legislation - Waste reduction Our programs focused on reducing waste at all points of the product life cycle. - Recycling Market Development Center Waste container colors Washington adopted a color-code for waste containers and lids in 2025.