HB 2633
In CommitteeHouse
Mattress producer resp.
Concerning mattress producer responsibility organizations.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill establishes a producer responsibility program for mattresses in Washington, requiring producers to fund and operate a stewardship program that collects, recycles, and educates the public about discarded mattresses. It creates a statewide network of free drop-off locations, sets recycling performance goals (including a 70% target), and mandates reporting and oversight by the Department of Ecology. The program is fully funded by producer fees—not state funds—and includes penalties for noncompliance.
- Creates a statewide "producer responsibility" program requiring mattress producers to fund and operate a stewardship program through a nonprofit or self-designated organization.
- Requires producers to register with a producer responsibility organization by January 1, 2027, and to be listed as members in good standing by July 1, 2027; starting January 1, 2031, producers not in good standing may not sell mattresses in Washington.
- Mandates that producer responsibility organizations develop and implement approved plans covering collection, recycling, reuse, education, and outreach—including performance goals such as a 70% recycling rate—and submit annual reports to the Department of Ecology.
- Establishes a statewide network of free, convenient mattress drop-off locations, including service to remote and underserved areas, and prohibits charging consumers at collection sites.
- Creates a new "responsible mattress management account" to hold fees and penalties, and authorizes the Department of Ecology to impose civil penalties (up to $10,000 per day for repeated violations) for noncompliance.
- Establishes an advisory council with representatives from government, industry, recyclers, environmental groups, small businesses, and consumers to advise on program implementation and review plans and reports.
Who is affected
- Mattress producers — Mattress producers (including brands, manufacturers, and importers) must register with a producer responsibility organization, fund and operate a stewardship program, and comply with reporting and performance requirements. They may not sell mattresses in Washington unless registered under an approved plan starting in 2031.
- Retailers — Retailers must only sell mattresses from producers participating in an approved stewardship program and provide consumers with information about mattress collection and disposal options at the point of sale.
- Local and state government entities — Local governments and other government entities may serve as collection sites for discarded mattresses and may be reimbursed for demonstrable costs (e.g., labor, storage). They are not required to provide collection services but may choose to do so.
- Consumers — Consumers gain access to free, convenient mattress drop-off locations statewide and receive information at point of sale about how to responsibly dispose of old mattresses. They are not charged at collection sites.
- Recyclers and service providers — Recyclers, haulers, and other service providers may contract with producer responsibility organizations to collect, transport, process, or recycle discarded mattresses and receive reimbursement according to agreed-upon terms.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Establishes a statewide network of free, convenient drop-off locations for discarded mattresses, eliminating consumer fees and reducing illegal dumping and landfilling—directly benefiting everyday residents by improving neighborhood cleanliness and reducing environmental harm.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3), Sec. 9(1), Sec. 18Mandates a 70% recycling rate target and requires detailed reporting on material recovery and final disposition, creating accountability and transparency that drives environmental benefits—reducing landfill use, emissions, and resource extraction for everyday Washingtonians.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 7(2)(b), Sec. 11(1)(d), Sec. 11(1)(g)Creates a self-funded, producer-paid program that supports recycling jobs (manual dismantling, hauling, processing) and may benefit small recyclers and service providers—especially in rural and overburdened communities—through equitable fee structures and eco-modulated pricing.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(15), Sec. 4(1)(c), Sec. 8(3)Requires targeted, linguistically and culturally appropriate outreach and education to overburdened and vulnerable communities, ensuring equitable access to disposal services and increasing public awareness—directly benefiting historically underserved residents.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 10(1)(e), Sec. 10(2), Sec. 15(8)(a)Imposes civil penalties for noncompliance (up to $10,000/day for repeated violations) and deposits all penalties into a dedicated account used solely for program administration—ensuring accountability and preventing diversion of funds while protecting local governments from bearing program costs.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 13(1)(e), Sec. 14
Potential Concerns (5)
Prohibits retailers from charging consumers a point-of-sale fee to recoup producer obligations, which may increase operational costs for small retailers who cannot absorb the cost of compliance without passing it on to consumers.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 8(5)Grants antitrust immunity to producer responsibility organizations for coordinated producer activities, which could reduce competitive pressure on mattress producers and potentially stifle innovation or price competition in the long term.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 16While local governments may be reimbursed for demonstrable costs as collection sites, the bill does not guarantee funding or set minimum reimbursement standards, leaving small or cash-strapped local governments vulnerable to un-reimbursed expenses if they choose to participate.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 14Mandates bulk pickup service for 100+ mattresses at no cost to consumers, but does not define “bulk” or specify frequency or geographic coverage, potentially creating logistical burdens for service providers and inconsistent access in rural areas.
TransportationRef: Sec. 9(4)(b)Requires producer responsibility organizations to maintain a financial reserve of 2–6 months of operating expenses, which may increase administrative overhead and reduce funds available for direct program services—especially for smaller producers or startups.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 8(8)
Who Is Most Affected
Producers (brands, manufacturers, importers) face new registration, fee, and compliance obligations, but gain legal certainty and antitrust immunity for coordinated stewardship efforts. Small producers may benefit from shared infrastructure, while large producers may absorb costs more easily.
Retailers must verify producer compliance and provide disposal information at point of sale, but are prohibited from charging consumers for these obligations. Compliance burden is modest, but failure to comply risks penalties—net impact is slightly negative.
Local governments may serve as collection sites and receive reimbursement for demonstrable costs, but are not required to participate. This offers potential cost recovery and community service benefits, especially for counties with high illegal dumping, but carries risk of unfunded labor or storage costs.
Consumers gain free, convenient disposal options and point-of-sale education—especially beneficial for low-income, rural, and vulnerable populations. No direct costs are imposed, and illegal dumping is discouraged—overall strongly positive impact.
Recyclers, haulers, and service providers gain new contracting opportunities with producer responsibility organizations. Eco-modulated fees and performance goals may incentivize innovation, but success depends on contract terms and program efficiency—net positive for small-to-mid-sized recyclers.