(1) The office of waste reduction shall develop, in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction, an awards program to achieve waste reduction and recycling in public schools, and to encourage waste reduction and recycling in private schools, grades kindergarten through high school. The office shall develop guidelines for program development and implementation. Each public school shall, and each private school may, implement a waste reduction and recycling program conforming to guidelines developed by the office.

(2) For the purpose of granting awards, the office may group all participating schools into not more than three classes, based upon student population, distance to markets for recyclable materials, and other criteria, as deemed appropriate by the office. Except as otherwise provided, five or more awards may be granted to each of the three classes. Each award shall be no more than $5,000 until 2026, and no more than $10,000 beginning January 1, 2026. Awards shall be granted each year to the schools that achieve the greatest levels of waste reduction and recycling. A single award of not less than $5,000 until 2026 or $10,000 beginning in 2026 may be presented to the school having the best recycling program as measured by the total amount of materials recycled, including materials generated outside of the school. A single award of not less than $5,000 until 2026 or $10,000 beginning in 2026 may be presented to the school having the best waste reduction program as determined by the office.

(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall distribute guidelines and other materials developed by the office to implement programs to reduce and recycle waste generated in administrative offices, classrooms, laboratories, cafeterias, and maintenance operations.

Findings—Intent—2024 c 341: See note following RCW 70A.207.040.