Most businesses hire a waste service provider to help them handle or dispose of their dangerous waste. Waste service providers might help you:
- Transport waste
- Dispose of waste
- Identify waste codes (or, designate your waste)
- Create hazardous waste manifests
- Assist with record keeping
Remember, you are still responsible for any waste you generate and that includes any waste handled and disposed of by a waste service provider. So, be sure to research and ask your provider questions before working with them, and know what you need to do to be in compliance.
Find a waste service provider
These statewide and regional directories can help you find service providers near you:
Search online for a service provider
If the above directories don't meet your needs, we recommend searching online:
- Search for "hazardous waste vendor."
- Use the tips below for choosing a provider.
- Call providers to compare services, price, timeline.
Note: We do not endorse any service providers. You are responsible for making sure your dangerous waste is handled and disposed of properly.
How do you choose a waste service provider?
Consider balancing cost, liability, and service to find the right provider for your business. If you use a service provider that does not manage your waste properly, you are liable for the consequences, which could result in spendy clean up costs.
Questions to research and ask a waste service provider
Do they comply with environmental laws?
Your waste service provider’s compliance record is as important as costs and services. If they fail to manage your waste safely and legally, you could end up paying for an expensive and embarrassing cleanup.
Look up a waste service provider's compliance history
The EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) allows you to see a provider's past history:
- Search by location: Enter the city or zip code of the facility, then scroll through the list or click the map.
- Search by facility name: Click the "Explore Facilities" button. Enter the facility’s name in the search bar.
Violations
Violations that threaten, or have potential to threaten, human health or the environment are serious.
Examples include:
- Unreported spills.
- Drums or containers without secure lids.
- Incorrect waste identification.
Citations
Do they have citations for:
- Poor waste tracking, or
- Failing to keep records for waste shipments?
Citations for poor or missing records could impact your compliance as a generator if it calls into question what happened to a hazardous waste shipment.
Classification
Are they classified in ECHO as a:
- Significant non-complier, or
- High priority violator?
These types of classifications could indicate the waste service provider has frequently failed to stay in compliance and could be a potential risk to your business.
Do they provide financial assurance?
Financial assurance (also known as financial responsibility) means the company ensures there is enough money available to cover cleanup costs should the need arise.
- If a company is cheaper overall, it could be because the amount of financial assurance they offer is low.
- Compare this to permitted facilities that are often more expensive because they offer a high amount of financial assurance.
Remember, if a facility mishandles your waste, you are still responsible for any cleanup costs. Using a company that offers enough financial assurance can save you peace of mind in the long run.
Are they a permitted dangerous waste facility in Washington?
Permits help mitigate, control, and prevent hazards to human health and the environment. You can find a list of these facilities (also known as TSDs, which stands for transport, storage, and disposal) here:
If a facility you are considering doing business with is not on this list, ensure you research them well.
Other things to take into account
Assess overall costs
The lowest bidder is not always the best choice. Some companies may be able to keep costs lower than others by cutting corners on regulatory compliance, which can in turn expose you to higher risk from liabilities. Only you can decide how much risk and liability is acceptable.
Specify how you want bidders to detail costs
Specifically, the unit and cost you want to see. For example, $/gallon or $/pound. Put all your expectations for costs, services, compliance record, and financial assurance into your scope of work. A clear, detailed scope of work can help you get bids that are comparable.
The lowest priced provider is not always the best choice.
Weigh the cost and benefits
For example, if you compare the waste management cost of a permitted dangerou waste facility to a conditionally exempt recycling facility, you may pay higher costs for financial assurance by choosing the permitted facility. On the other hand, using an exempt recycler may help you earn valuable recycling credits against the hazardous waste planning fee assessment.
Frequently asked questions
If you are a medium or large quantity generator, you need to work with a waste service provider.
Only small quantity generators may transport their own dangerous waste.
If you need a lab to test your waste:
If you are sending your used oil for processing or to be recycled, be cautious of facilities that are unconcerned about the nature or source of your used oil.
A good facility will require information about:
- How your oil is generated.
- Sources of your oil.
- Contaminants that might exist or be introduced in the process of generating or storing the oil.