OLYMPIA, Wash.-Dozens of plastic producers in Washington have been fined for not including enough recycled material in bags and drink containers.
The $416,554 in fines levied against 35 plastic producers are the first penalties issued under a 2021 state law aimed at reducing waste and pollution from plastics.
Under the law, plastic packaging producers are required to report the weight of both new and recycled plastic sold in Washington.
The minimum recycled content requirements took effect for several types of products covered under the law in January 2023 with the Department of Ecology responsible for enforcing the law.
According to Ecology, the fines ranged from $39 to $67,196 and were based on the amount of plastic each offending producer sold in Washington and how far from the requirements they were.
“We need to continue working together to improve our recycling system and reduce the pollution and contamination that come from producing new plastic,” said Peter Lyon, Ecology’s solid waste program manager.
Companies that were fined have 30 days to appeal to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
Companies fined for not using enough plastic, according to the Department of Ecology.
Admiral Beverage CorporationAlbertsons CompaniesAngelcare USAArcadia Farms, LLCArizona Beverage USACAB Enterprises, IncChobani, LLCDanone, LLC USDel Monte Foodsgood2grow LLCHeaven Hill Distilleries, IncHerbalife International of America HP Hood, LLCJim Beam Brands Co, LLC/Suntory Global Spirtis, IncJohanna BeverageKraft Heinz Food CompanyKSF Acquisition CorpLanger Juice Company, IncLassonde Pappas and CompanyMilo’s Tea Company, IncOcean Spray Cranberries, IncPremium Nutrition CompanyRichardson Bottling CompanySazerac Company, IncSoylent Nutrition, IncTalking Rain Beverage Company, IncThe Clorox CompanyThe Kroger CompanyTopco Associates, LLCTrader Joe’sTradin OrganicTree Top, IncUline, IncWalgreen CoWelch Foods, Inc, A Cooperative
