WASHINGTON REFUSE & RECYCLING ASSOCIATION
REPRESENTING WASHINGTON’S SOLID WASTE INDUSTRY SINCE 1947
ABOUT US
Originally established in 1947 as the King County Garbage companies Association, the Washington Refuse & Recycling Association has evolved over the past 75+ years into the primary trade association representing solid waste and recycling companies operating in Washington State within the regulatory system.
Our membership also includes a variety of Associate Member companies that offer services and products to the solid waste industry.
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote and preserve the current regulatory system of solid waste management in Washington, specifically the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, commonly called a “G Permit,” and to promote environmentally and economically sustainable solid waste and recycling services within that system.
WRRA'S SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT
The Washington Refuse & Recycling Association (WRRA) is a partnership with the public in pursuit of environmental stewardship through recycling and reducing waste.
WRRA supports the working definition of sustainability and goals adopted by the Department of Ecology: “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
SUSTAINABILITY IN SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING
- Ensuring compliance with all environmental, solid waste, and recycling laws and regulations
- Looking for opportunities for greater energy efficiency
- Working with state and local governments to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste streams
- Looking for opportunities to reduce emissions from collection vehicles
- Continuing to implement programs that improve worker health and safety and improve collection efficiency
- Supporting sustainable efforts by others in our communities
- Supporting a quality work environment for all employees
- Promoting community service
IMPORTANT DATES IN WASHINGTON'S SOLID WASTE HISTORY
- 1961 - Washington State enacted comprehensive legislation regulating the collection and transportation of solid waste, which creates the “G-Certificate.”
- 1989 - Waste Not Washington Act
- 2004 - WSDOE Issues “Beyond Waste Plan”
- 2005 - Legislature re-regulates the “collection and transportation of commercial recyclables.”
- 2022 - Organics Management Law is passed, aiming to reduce organics disposal by 75% by 2030
- 2024- Organics Management Law 2.0 is passed, focusing on residential services by 2030
- 2025- Organics Management Law 3.0 is passed, addressing bin standardizations & multi-family collection plans
- 2025- Recycling Reform Act passed, setting up an Extended Producer Responsibility program for consumer packaging by 2030
Learn How to Dispose of Batteries Properly to Prevent Fires!
Woodsy Owl's on a mission- to stop battery fires before they start. Batteries power so much in our lives, but if tossed in the trash or recycling bin, they can cause intense fires that destroy homes, damage facilities, and put lives at risk.
We're teaming up with the NWRA and the U.S. Forest Service to help Woodsy Owl share a simple but important message: "Skip the bin! Turn your batteries in."
Learn more about how to properly dispose of batteries at the website below.
Read More About Washington's Upcoming Battery Stewardship Program
Washington State is implementing a Battery Stewardship program that will be in effect in 2027. Read more information about the program on the Department of Ecology website.