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Current Hazardous Waste System Issues

Pollution Prevention

Washington's Hazardous Waste Reduction Act (Chapter 70.95C RCW) passed in 1990. Since then, businesses that generate 2,640 pounds or more of recurrent hazardous waste annually or report toxic releases as part of the federal Toxics Release Inventory requirement must prepare P2 plans and submit them to Ecology. The state P2 program conducted more than 4,500 site visits and 260 workshops for 13,000 people from 1992-2006, saving more than $400 million.

Today's Reality and Goals

Recommendations and Five Year Milestones:

HW 1	Encourage P2 planners to address hazardous substance use, including toxicity and risk, in their P2 plans. Additionally, encourage P2 planners to address environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP), solid waste, and water reductions.
HW 2	Develop guidance on acceptable Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and environmental reporting systems.
HW 3	Improve P2 plan quality and relationships with P2 planners. Work to ensure P2 plans are implemented.
HW 3	Encourage P2 planners to develop an energy management program to identify and implement conservation measures or renewable energy opportunities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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