A Yakima Valley fruit processor is facing a fine of more than $20,000 for failing to use recycled plastic in any of its packaging materials. 

Tree Top Inc., which is headquartered in Selah, was one of eight companies fined more than $10,000 each by the state Department of Ecology for failing to meet a 2021 state law that now requires a minimum of 15% post-consumer recycled content in items such as single-use beverage containers.  

In total, 38 plastic producers were fined a collective $246,548 for failing to comply with the state law. 

Under the law, plastic packaging producers are required to annually report the weight of new and recycled plastic sold in Washington. Each producer that fell short of the recycled content requirements was issued a penalty. 

The companies have 30 days to pay the fines or appeal them to Washington’s Pollution Control Hearings Board.  

Tree Top is owned by roughly 1,000 growers in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, according to Good Fruit Grower. The company operates at seven locations in Washington – including in Prosser – Oregon and California.