Reports & fees

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 Ecology or pay fees.

Which reports do I need to file?

Emergency planning and community right-to-know reporting

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.

Dangerous waste reporting Pollution prevention plan Other environmental reports

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.

Hazardous Waste Generation Fee

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.

Hazardous Waste Planning Fee

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:

Reduce hazardous waste
Find safer alternatives to toxic chemicals they use
Improve and maintain safety in the workplace
Avoid environmental accidents
Make sense of dangerous waste regulations

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.