On June 20, 2013, the King County Board of Health took a significant step towards reducing preventable deaths from drug overdoses by passing a Rule & Regulation to create a drug take-back system for King County residents. The program promotes the safe disposal of unused prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and will be funded and operated by the drug manufacturers who produce the medications.
Washington state medicine stewardship passed into law
On March 22, 2018, Governor Inslee signed into law HB 1047, protecting the public's health by creating a system for safe and secure collection and disposal of unwanted medications (aka the Secure Drug Take-Back Act).
The 2013 Washington Small Rechargeable Battery Stewardship Act was introduced Jan. 24, 2013, but did not move out of the Senate before the 2013 session cutoff date. The bill will be carried forward into the 2014 legislative session, which began January 13, 2014.
HB 1652, concerning paint stewardship, signed into law by Governor Inslee on May 9, 2019, creates an industry-funded and run paint recycling program for Washington's residents and businesses and is expected to be in place by Nov. 30, 2020 (the law's effective date is July 28, 2019).
Washington Mercury Lights Stewardship Program