On January 19, our Youth Ocean Advocates (also known as YOAs) teen volunteers traveled to Olympia to join the Seattle Aquarium and its partners in the Plastic Free Washington coalition for Lobby Day, advocating for policies that would reduce plastics in our environment. Nearly 70 Washingtonians joined to discuss with legislators how bills like the amended plastic bag ban (HB 2233/SB 5965) and the Recycling Refunds Act (HB 1607/SB 5502) will reduce waste and marine plastic pollution.
YOAs on the steps of the state Capitol Building.
HB 2233/SB 5965: Closing a loophole for plastic bags
Plastic bags are a major source of litter and pollution in our ocean. Washingtonians use nearly two billion plastic bags every year (yes, that’s billions, with a “b”)! In 2020, Washington passed a bill eliminating single-use, thin plastic bags. The amended plastic bag ban would close a loophole and ban all plastic bags, including the thicker “reusable” plastic bags often provided at grocery store checkouts or for restaurant to-go orders.
HB 1607/SB 5502: Refunds for container recycling
Like plastic bags, beverage containers are a major source of pollution along our highways and in our waterways. The Recycling Refunds Act (also known as the Bottle Bill) would improve recycling rates of beverage containers, with evidence from Oregon and British Columbia suggesting an 80–90% increase! Consumers would pay a 10-cent deposit on most beverage containers, which would be refunded when they bring their containers to convenient drop-off locations. Beverage brands would form a “producer responsibility organization” (PRO) to fund and implement the program. The PRO will cover 100% of the state’s costs, including oversight, administration, education and enforcement.
Power of the people—and YOAs
Volunteers organized over 30 meetings with state legislators to encourage support of the priority bills addressing plastic pollution, like the two mentioned above. Together, 12 YOAs attended 15 meetings. YOA Vasilisa said, “I learned a bit more about the process of advocacy, how laws are created and how constituents can communicate with their respective [state] representatives. I attended because I was curious about this process [policy advocacy] and wanted to help contribute to the Aquarium/Puget Sound and its animals as much as possible.”
YOAs got an opportunity to meet legislators and speak about their passion for the marine environment and their personal reasons for wanting to pass the Bottle Bill and the amended plastic bag ban. In one meeting with a state senator, YOA Alex was asked how her work impacted the world, a question she wasn’t expecting. After some thought, she replied, “I do not think there is a single visitor who leaves the Aquarium without loving the ocean a little more.” Later, further reflecting on the senator’s question, she realized that, while she can’t remove all the plastic pollution from the ocean or all the toxics in the Salish Sea, she can reach the hearts of visitors in her talks and interactions. She notices, “the eyes of a 6-year-old widen, an introspective tilt of the head, or a teenager look down to hide their wonder. This moment where, to them, the world gets a little bigger. The senator himself experienced this…leaning back in his chair, peering through his glasses, seeing not us, but the adoration and respect we have for the marine world. This is inspiring marine conservation.”
YOAs raising their voices at the rally at Lobby Day on January 19.
More YOA highlights from Lobby Day
In addition to meetings with legislators, YOAs attended a public hearing in the House Environment & Energy committee. One of the bills in the hearing would ban 6PPD, a tire chemical that becomes 6PPD-Q, a chemical that’s highly toxic and lethal to salmon, particularly coho salmon. Four YOAs were brave enough to testify in support of the bill, signing up and preparing testimony on their own. Their testimonies were met with appreciation from the committee, and they met the bill sponsor, Representative Zach Hall (District 5). YOA Sid, reflecting on his decision to attend Lobby Day and his experience testifying said, “I attended because I care deeply about conservation and environmental policy. Healthy ecosystems support both people and wildlife, and I feel a responsibility to speak up when preventable pollution threatens that balance. Once I started speaking, my nerves settled, and I felt proud to share the science and the real risks to salmon and water quality. Overall, the experience strengthened my confidence and made me even more committed to conservation and policy work.”
The YOAs also attended a rally, where they heard from Representative Lisa Parshley (sponsor of the House version of the amended bag ban), who shared her passion for tackling plastic pollution and her appreciation for those who spent their day advocating for the bill. They also attended a tour of the Capitol Building, learning about the history and design, followed by a quick trip to the gift shop, where, so we’ve heard, some marine stuffed animals were purchased as mementos of the trip by a few of the YOAs.
Handmade signs help amplify the message.
Get involved!
Learn more about our 2026 legislative priorities and how you can help advocate for our marine environment at the state and federal levels. You can also get notified about action opportunities by signing up for our policy action alerts.
If you or a high schooler you know wants to participate in advocacy opportunities like the ones described in this story, please go to the YOA webpage for more information. Recruitment for the new cohort of Seattle Aquarium Youth Ocean Advocates begins with orientation sessions in March.
