Beneficial use determinations

A beneficial use determination (BUD) is a statewide exemption from Washington’s solid waste permitting requirements. Rules addressing BUDs are found at WAC 173-350-200. Before a BUD can be issued, we review the application to:

• Evaluate whether all required information is provided and whether additional information is needed in order for the application to be considered complete. 
• Evaluate whether the material proposed for the exemption is a non-hazardous solid waste.
• Conduct an assessment of the proposed use and determine whether it presents little or no risk to human health and the environment.
• Determine whether the proposed use meets the terms and conditions specified in the regulation applicable to BUDs.

Any exemption from solid waste permitting granted under the Beneficial Use Determination program requires prior written approval from Ecology and are granted solely to the original applicant. The exemption lasts as long as the material and approved use remain consistent with the original proposal.

Approved beneficial uses must still comply with all other local, state, and federal regulations.