Rude’s straw pulp bill breezes through Legislature
By Terry Murry on Monday, April 5th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – House Bill 1145 will allow straw pulp to be used in manufacturing single-use plastic bags. Sponsored by Rep. Skyler Rude (R-Walla Walla) the measure passed both the House and Senate unanimously.
Rude said that the bill fixes an omission in last year’s measure outlawing single-use bags that are not made with a minimum of 40 percent post-consumer recycled content. Straw pulp is a natural material, but is not considered recycled. The bag ban has not yet taken effect due to a COVID-19 proclamation issued by Gov. Jay Inslee.
“Columbia Pulp is a valuable and innovative employer in Columbia County,” Rude said. “Protecting and expanding the market for straw pulp products both provides a beneficial use for this wheat-farming byproduct and helps secure jobs in the region.”
The bill now is awaiting Inslee’s signature.
