San Juan County Solid Waste Program Coordinator Katie Fleming briefed the council Monday on the state’s Recycling Reform Act and local implications, saying the county’s household recycling diversion rate stands at about 15% compared with a statewide average near 40 percent.

Fleming described core elements of the act: expanded household recycling access, improved public education and transparency about material markets, and financial responsibility by producers to support collection and processing. Fleming noted the law calls for producer support that could reimburse a significant portion of system costs; the date cited in staff materials in the meeting was unclear and staff asked the council to treat the timing as subject to Department of Ecology rule‑making.

Why this matters: Fleming said greater recycling access and producer funding could lower the high tipping fees county residents now bear and enable investment in infrastructure such as sorting systems and organics processing. She cited local details: Lopez Island currently separates and sends glass to an inert (gravel‑pit) landfill locally rather than shipping glass off island, and county staff are exploring whether crushed glass can be reused locally. Fleming also said county planning currently points to organics diversion and construction/wood‑waste management as major opportunities to reduce landfill tonnage.

Fleming asked the council to expect more engagement as Ecology finishes rules and as the county updates its solid‑waste management plan. Council members recommended that staff track rural access, real‑estate needs for expanded sorting and collection, and opportunities for in‑home and small‑scale organics solutions. The county plans additional planning steps, SWAC review and outreach to operators and producer‑responsibility organizations as the state moves to implement the law.

Discussion vs. action: the meeting was informational; the council did not adopt new regulations or funding commitments. Fleming told the council she will bring the updated solid‑waste management plan forward and continue coordination with Ecology, local operators and Solid Waste Advisory Committee members.

Ending: Fleming said Ecology will finalize rules in the coming months and that county staff will return with implementation steps, potential grant opportunities and recommended changes to local collection infrastructure.