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Washington: sustainable packaging labelling
Washington requires a resin-identification code on covered plastic bottles and rigid containers, detailed compostable-product presentation and a prohibition on specified degradability terms, and a “Do Not Flush” label on covered wipes. The Recycling Reform Act creates packaging producer-responsibility duties without a universal consumer mark.
Executive summary
Washington layers four distinct packaging regimes. Chapter 70A.220 RCW requires covered plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers to carry a code identifying the resin type. The statute lists the 1 PETE through 7 OTHER numbers and letters; it does not prescribe an enclosing chasing-arrows graphic. Chapter 70A.455 RCW, the Plastic Product Degradability chapter, prohibits specified degradability terms on plastic products and requires certified compostable products to meet named standards and to be visually distinguishable, including by a certifier logo, the word “compostable” where possible, and green, beige or brown signalling. Compostable film bags may not display a chasing-arrows resin code or recycling symbol.
Chapter 70A.525 RCW requires a “Do Not Flush” symbol and presentation on packages of covered non-flushable nonwoven disposable wipes. Separately, the Recycling Reform Act, chapter 70A.208 RCW (Senate Bill 5284, 2025), creates an extended producer-responsibility programme for residential packaging and paper products. The Department of Ecology is implementing that programme in phases, with producer membership required before covered sales after March 2029 and statewide service changes from 2030. The Act does not itself prescribe a universal consumer-facing EPR or recyclability logo.
Legal status at a glance
| Requirement | Status | Operational meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Covered plastic bottle or rigid container | mandatory | The container is labelled with the statutory 1-7 resin numbers and letters. The statute does not prescribe chasing arrows. |
| Certified compostable product | mandatory presentation | A named compostability standard, third-party certifier logo, the word “compostable” where possible, and green, beige or brown distinction are required. |
| Non-certified plastic product | prohibited representations | “Biodegradable,” “degradable,” “decomposable,” “oxo-degradable” and similar implications are barred, with a narrow mulch-film exception. |
| Compostable film bag recycling symbol | prohibited | A film bag meeting ASTM D6400 may not display a chasing-arrows resin code or recycling-type symbol. |
| Covered non-flushable wipe | mandatory | The INDA/EDANA “Do Not Flush” symbol, sized to at least two percent of the principal display panel, with high contrast and unobscured placement. |
| Packaging EPR | enacted, not yet operating | Producer membership, fees and recycling-system financing apply on the statutory timetable; no universal on-pack EPR mark is identified. |
Plastic resin identification
RCW 70A.220.010 defines a plastic bottle as a plastic container intended for single use that has a neck smaller than the body, accepts a screw-type, snap cap or other closure, and has a capacity of 16 fluid ounces or more but less than five gallons. A rigid plastic container is a formed or molded container, other than a bottle, intended for single use, composed predominantly of plastic resin, and having a relatively inflexible finite shape or form with a capacity of eight ounces or more but less than five gallons.
RCW 70A.220.020 prohibits distribution, sale or offer for sale of a covered bottle or rigid container unless it is labelled with a code identifying the appropriate resin type used to produce the structure of the container. The numbers and letters are 1 PETE, 2 HDPE, 3 V or PVC, 4 LDPE, 5 PP, 6 PS and 7 OTHER. Unlike many sister-state statutes, this section does not prescribe a triangle of arrows. A national mold that includes chasing arrows may still satisfy the numbering requirement, but the arrows are not themselves a Washington mandate and can conflict with chapter 70A.455 when the article is a certified compostable film bag.
After written notice from the department, a person who violates RCW 70A.220.020 is subject to a civil penalty of 50 dollars for each violation up to a maximum of 500 dollars and may be enjoined from continuing violations. Each distribution constitutes a separate offence.
Compostable product labelling
A product labelled “compostable” must meet at least one of ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, ASTM D8410, ISO 17088 or EN 13432, or a substantially similar standard determined by the department, or consist only of wood or a fibre-based substrate meeting the chapter’s fibre content and additive limits. Products meeting a listed plastic or fibre standard must also meet the FTC Green Guides’ labelling principles and must feature a logo indicating certification by a recognised third-party independent verification body, display the word “compostable” where possible, and use green, beige or brown labelling, colour striping or other green, beige or brown symbols, colours, tinting, marks or design patterns.
Film bags and food-service products have additional distinguishability rules. Film bags meeting ASTM D6400 require the certifier logo, a green, beige or brown colour signal and the word “compostable,” with specified options for overall tinting, one-inch text or a one-inch coloured band. Food-service products and other film products require at least a green, beige or brown stripe of the statutory minimum width. Ecology’s implementation materials emphasise that the certifier logo, colour signal and the word “compostable” should appear on the product itself, because compost facilities often receive items without retail packaging. Producers must list compostable products on a declaration of compliance. Ecology began enforcing the chapter by 1 July 2024.
Prohibited degradability terms and mimicking colour
RCW 70A.455.030 provides that, except as provided in the chapter, no producer may sell, offer for sale or distribute for use in the state a plastic product labelled with “biodegradable,” “degradable,” “decomposable,” “oxo-degradable” or any similar form of those terms, or in any way implying that the plastic product will break down, fragment, biodegrade or decompose in a landfill or other environment. Biodegradable mulch film that meets the chapter’s testing and certification conditions is the stated exception.
A film bag that meets ASTM D6400 and is sold or distributed in the state may not display a chasing-arrows resin identification code or recycling type of symbol in any form. Ecology further advises that only compostable film bags may use green, beige or brown overall tinting, and that non-compostable film bags may not use those colours as a compostability signal. Brand lettering used solely for identity, and stripes smaller than the statutory compostable-band width used as visual aids, are treated more narrowly. The overall presentation, not an isolated colour chip, should be documented.
Non-flushable wipe labelling
Chapter 70A.525 RCW covers a non-flushable nonwoven disposable wipe that is a premoistened wipe constructed from nonwoven sheets and designed and marketed for diapering, personal hygiene or household hard-surface cleaning. The definition excludes a wipe designed or marketed for cleaning or medicating the anorectal or vaginal areas and labelled flushable, sewer safe, septic safe or otherwise as appropriate for toilet disposal, including premoistened toilet tissue.
A covered entity must clearly and conspicuously label a package containing a covered product as “do not flush.” The package must use the “Do Not Flush” symbol, or a gender equivalent, described in the INDA/EDANA Code of Practice 2 as published in the 2018 Guidelines for Assessing the Flushability of Disposable Nonwoven Products. The symbol must appear on the principal display panel in a prominent, reasonably visible location — and, for dispensing packaging, in a location visible each time a wipe is dispensed. It must cover at least two percent of the surface area of the principal display panel, must not be obscured by seams or folds, and must meet a statutory high-contrast test of at least 70 percent.
The labelling requirements took effect 1 July 2022. Beginning 1 January 2023, no package containing a covered product manufactured on or before 1 July 2022 may be offered for distribution or sale unless labelled consistently with the chapter. Cities and counties have enforcement authority, with written notice and a 90-day cure before a first penalty, and civil penalties of up to 2,000 dollars, 5,000 dollars and 10,000 dollars for first, second and subsequent violations. Remedies under the Consumer Protection Act remain available.
Recycling Reform Act
Chapter 70A.208 RCW, enacted in 2025 as Senate Bill 5284, requires producers of residential packaging and paper products to join a producer-responsibility organisation and finance end-of-life management. Ecology’s programme page records phased implementation: service-provider and PRO registration work beginning in 2026; a prohibition on selling products in Washington after March 2029 unless the producer is a PRO member; reuse and refill grants from 2029; and statewide consistent curbside recycling services and PRO reimbursement of service providers from 2030. The PRO is to reimburse at least 90 percent of recycling-system cost to collecting and processing service providers and to meet performance targets in an approved plan.
Those are financing, membership, reporting and service-system duties. The Act is not identified as creating a mandatory consumer-facing recycling, compostability or EPR logo. Producer-responsibility participation should not be translated into an on-pack claim that a specific item is recyclable in Washington.
Enforcement and practical use
Ecology administers the resin, compostability and EPR programmes. Compostability enforcement is shared with local governments that file the statutory notice of intent. Wipe enforcement is assigned to cities and counties. Consumer-protection remedies under chapter 19.86 RCW remain independently available for deceptive environmental marketing.
The four layers have different triggers. A rigid PET bottle may need only the resin code. A certified compostable fibre bowl needs the compostability presentation and must not carry recycling arrows. A bathroom wipe needs the flushability artwork regardless of its outer film’s resin code. A producer of ordinary packaging must plan EPR membership on the 70A.208 timetable without adding a non-statutory logo.
Practical artwork checklist
For rigid plastic, apply the 70A.220 definitions and inspect the 1-7 numbers and letters; do not assume chasing arrows are required, and remove them from certified compostable film bags. For compostable products, confirm the applicable ASTM, ISO or EN standard, the certifier logo, the word “compostable,” green/beige/brown distinction, product-level rather than only pack-level marks, and the Ecology declaration. Screen plastic products for prohibited degradability terms. For wipes, classify coverage, apply the INDA/EDANA symbol, two-percent area, 70 percent contrast and dispensing-visibility rules. Track Recycling Reform Act membership dates separately from consumer artwork.
Primary sources and verification
Washington State Legislature. Chapter 70A.220 RCW, labelling of plastics. Official chapter
Washington State Legislature. RCW 70A.220.020, plastic bottle or rigid plastic container — labelling requirements. Official statute
Washington State Legislature. Chapter 70A.455 RCW, plastic product degradability. Official chapter
Washington State Department of Ecology. Compostable product labelling requirements. Official agency guidance
Washington State Legislature. Chapter 70A.525 RCW, disposable wipes. Official chapter
Washington State Department of Ecology. Recycling Reform Act programme page. Official programme page
Packaging Label Atlas. US compostable labelling: the rules actually in force. Theme 2 article
Federal Trade Commission. Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, 16 C.F.R. Part 260. Official Green Guides
Federal Trade Commission. Environmental Claims: Summary of the Green Guides. Business guidance
Compostable film bags cannot carry chasing-arrows recycling symbols even if a national resin mold would otherwise apply them. EPR dates should be checked against current Ecology materials. Last verified: 21 August 2026.