Washington § 70A.208.120 - Equity study.

(1) By January 31, 2032, the department must complete a study, conducted by a contracted third party that is not a producer or producer responsibility organization, of facilities operating in the state that manage covered materials and at facilities operating in the state that receive covered materials as recycled feedstock. The study must analyze, at a minimum, information about:

(a) Working conditions, wage and benefit levels, workforce development effects, and employment levels of minorities and women at those facilities;

(b) Barriers to ownership of recycling, composting, and reuse operations faced by women and minorities;

(c) The degree to which residents of multifamily buildings have less convenient access to recycling, composting, and reuse opportunities than those living in single-family homes;

(d) The degree to which individuals living in overburdened communities have access to fewer recycling, composting, and reuse opportunities compared to other parts of the state;

(e) The degree to which programs to increase access, convenience, and education are successful in raising reuse, recycling, and composting rates in areas where participation in these activities is low. This must include an evaluation of the efficacy of activities under RCW 70A.208.190 that are conceptually, linguistically, and culturally tailored to effectively reach diverse residents, and which such activities could be adjusted or improved to achieve improved outcomes for specific areas or sectors where participation is low;

(f) Strategies to increase participation in reuse, recycling, and composting; and

(g) The degree to which residents and workers in overburdened communities are impacted by emissions, toxic substances, and other pollutants from solid waste facilities in comparison to other areas of the state and recommendations to mitigate those impacts.

(2) Producer responsibility organizations registered under this chapter must cover the cost of conducting the study through the fees charged by the department to the producer responsibility organizations, and recommended actions identified in the study must be considered for inclusion as part of future plans required under this chapter, including adjustments to service provider reimbursements under RCW 70A.208.170.