Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Reducing & recycling waste

Learn about Washington's recycling programs, organics recycling, and find recycling resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste

Household waste & toxics

Information on toxics in the home, household hazardous waste, and litter pickup programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/community-waste-toxics

Taking action against toxic chemicals

We enforce regulations and develop policies to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products and the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals

Plants paint a picture

May 21, 2025 Blog post:

Celebrate American Wetlands Month by learning more about Washington’s wetlands.

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/may-2025/plants-paint-a-picture

Paints and coatings

Businesses that use paints and coatings must learn to properly manage and dispose of them.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/paints-coatings

Paint stewardship: PaintCare

Washington has a new product stewardship program for paint.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/our-recycling-programs/paint-stewardship

Auto body shops

Learn how auto body and collision repair shops can manage common dangerous wastes.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/auto-body-shops

Solvents

Most solvents become dangerous waste and must be managed properly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/solvents

Lead waste

Learn how your business can manage lead waste properly according to the Dangerous Waste Regulations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/lead-waste

Pollution prevention (P2)

Learn about pollution prevention (P2) and how you can apply best practices to your business.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/pollution-prevention

Step one: Get ready to designate

Learn what you need to start designating your waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dangerous-waste-basics/designation/get-ready-to-designate

Solvent-contaminated wipes

Follow these best management practices for solvent-contaminated wipes.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/solvent-wipes

Construction and demolition

Construction, demolition, and renovation companies must dispose of dangerous waste properly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/construction-and-demolition

Special waste

Special waste is a category of dangerous waste that may be managed as a conditionally exempt waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/dangerous-waste-reporting-requirements/dangerous-waste-annual-report/special-waste

Mercury waste

Learn how to handle mercury dangerous waste at your business.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/mercury

Empty containers

Empty product containers at your businesses may be dangerous waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/empty-containers

Common types of dangerous waste

Learn how to manage common types of dangerous waste at your business.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste

Aerosol cans

Learn how your business can safely handle and dispose of aerosol cans.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/aerosol-cans

Electronic waste and cathode ray tubes

Learn how your business can manage and recycle electronic waste properly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/electronic-waste

Fertilizers

Learn how your business can register, manage, and dispose of fertilizers properly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/fertilizers

Used oil

There are different requirements for businesses managing used oil and waste oil.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/used-oil

Asbestos

Asbestos is a hazardous material still found in building materials. Learn how to keep workers safe.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/asbestos

Automotive recyclers

Auto recyclers deal with toxic materials. Learn best practices and ways to manage these materials.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/auto-recyclers

Cleaners

Learn how your business can properly dispose of cleaners and choose safer products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/cleaners

Lights & lamps

Businesses can manage lights and other lamps containing toxic chemicals as universal waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/lights-lamps

Treated wood waste

Treated wood waste contains toxic chemicals that your business may need to dispose of as dangerous waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/treated-wood-waste

Universal waste

Learn how your business can manage certain types of dangerous waste under the Universal Waste Rule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/universal-waste

Dry cleaner waste

Learn how to manage dry cleaning dangerous waste and learn about new guidance for PERC dry cleaners.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/dry-cleaners

Antifreeze

Learn how your business can manage antifreeze and recycle spent antifreeze.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/antifreeze

Batteries

Batteries can be disposed as universal waste or under an exclusion for lead-acid batteries.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/batteries

Dental waste

Dental offices generate dangerous waste that must be disposed of properly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/dentists

Nicotine and cannabis waste

Learn how your business can properly handle nicotine, vape, and cannabis waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/nicotine-and-cannabis-waste

Managing pharmaceutical waste

Learn how to manage waste pharmaceuticals properly to keep them out of the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/pharmaceutical-waste

Managing solar panel waste

Learn how businesses can properly manage, recycle, or dispose of end-of-life solar panels.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/solar-panel-waste

Marine algae & plankton

Marine algae blooms are overgrowths of plankton. They can look like a spill in the water.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/puget-sound-and-marine-monitoring/marine-algae-plankton

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Air

SEPA Guidance for Environmental Checklist

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-checklist-guidance/sepa-checklist-section-b-environmental-elements/environmental-elements-air

PCBs in building materials

Learn about possible sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in building materials.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/construction-and-demolition/pcbs-in-buildings

Meet our team

Businesses can contact our team for non-enforcement pollution prevention (P2) technical assistance.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/pollution-prevention-services/toxics-reduction-assistance/meet-our-team

Frequently asked questions about pharmaceutical waste

Frequently asked questions about pharmaceutical waste and our answers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/pharmaceutical-waste/frequently-asked-questions

Dangerous waste permits

Facilities that store, treat, or dispose of dangerous waste must have a dangerous waste permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/dangerous-waste-permits

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Surface water

Guidance to complete Surface water section for Part B of SEPA environmental checklist.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-checklist-guidance/sepa-checklist-section-b-environmental-elements/environmental-elements-3-water/environmental-elements-surface-water

Stormwater Action Monitoring - Effectiveness studies

Learning what works best to reduce urban runoff volumes and pollution in Western Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies

Our recycling programs

Our recycling programs focused on product stewardship.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/our-recycling-programs

Antifouling boat paint laws

Learn more about laws related to antifouling boat paints.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/washingtons-toxics-in-products-laws/antifouling-boat-paints

2018-2020 session legislation

Laws from 2018-2020 sessions

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/strategic-policy-and-planning/enacting-legislation/2018-2020-legislation

E-Cycle Washington

E-Cycle is a free program making it easy for Washington residents to recycle unused electronics.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/our-recycling-programs/electronics-e-cycle

Solar panels

Information and guidance for the photovoltaic (PV) module stewardship and takeback program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/our-recycling-programs/solar-panels

Battery stewardship

This new law requires battery producers to create a statewide collection system for portable used batteries by Jan. 1, 2027.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/our-recycling-programs/battery-stewardship

Washington's toxics in products laws

These Washington laws are designed to keep toxic chemicals out of consumer products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/washingtons-toxics-in-products-laws

Mercury lights: LightRecycle

Information about the LightRecycle program and regulatory guidance for businesses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/our-recycling-programs/mercury-lights