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Reports & fees

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Many fees and reports delayed due to COVID-19

The following fees and reports are delayed due to COVID-19:

Go to the individual pages or visit our COVID-19 Dangerous Waste Compliance page for more information on due dates.

Depending on the products you use and store, the wastes you generate, and the type of work that happens at your facility, you may have to submit certain reports to us or pay fees.

Which reports do I need to file?

If your facility generates dangerous waste, you may need to file certain dangerous waste reports.

Apply for an EPA/State Identification (ID) Number or learn about the Dangerous Waste Annual Report.
If you spill or accidentally release hazardous substances or dangerous waste, you need to report it immediately. You're also responsible for knowing what kinds of chemicals are stored at your facility and planning for emergencies. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) requires several reports, based on what you do and store at your facility.
If your facility generates more than 2,640 pounds of dangerous waste per year or submits a Toxics Release Inventory (TRI or EPCRA section 313) report, you must submit a pollution prevention plan.

Pollution prevention plans are due on September 1, each year.
Your facility may have to file other environmental reports for air quality or water quality.

This poster gives an explanation of the most common environmental reports we require, and when they're due.

If you manufacture children's products that are sold in Washington, you may need to report under the Children's Safe Products Act.

*EPCRA stands for Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act.

Which fees do I need to pay?

There are two fees that businesses with hazardous waste may need to pay, the Hazardous Waste Generation Fee and the Hazardous Waste Planning Fee. The similar names for these fees often confuse people — we can help you determine whether you need to pay one of these fees.
  • If your business generates any amount of dangerous waste, you must pay the Hazardous Waste Generation Fee.
  • Ecology sends out invoices each year in the spring, and payment is due on receipt.
  • This is a flat fee, which we adjust for inflation each year.
  • Some businesses generate enough dangerous waste that we require them to submit a pollution prevention plan.
  • If your business submits pollution prevention plans, you may also have to pay the Hazardous Waste Planning Fee.
  • The fee amount depends on the number of pounds of dangerous waste your business generates and any toxic releases to land, air, or water.

Dangerous or hazardous?

For the purpose of these fees, "dangerous waste" and "hazardous waste" mean the same thing. There are many types of dangerous waste. If your business generates any dangerous or hazardous waste, you need to check which fees apply to you.

What do the fees pay for?

The Hazardous Waste Generation Fee and the Hazardous Waste Planning Fee fund technical assistance and compliance education to Washington businesses.

We provide technical assistance to businesses to help them:

Ecology’s toxics reduction specialists offer technical assistance to anyone requesting help. These experts can explain the Dangerous Waste Regulations and help with pollution prevention and effective waste management. Many businesses working closely with our staff have reduced or eliminated the waste they generate.

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