Hazardous waste management problems

207 million pounds of hazardous wastes were generated by regulated businesses in 2000.⁷ The waste was treated and sent to permitted Treatment, Storage and Disposal (TSD) facilities for management. According to Ecology’s 2000 report to the Legislature, the commercial waste management industry in Washington faces a number of challenges:

Environmental contamination because of leaks, spills or accidents due to lack of attention to housekeeping and maintenance. Over the past 15-20 years, a significant number of waste management facilities have been contaminated with hazardous waste or used oil.
Lack of adequate requirements to assure that facility owners and operators will plan and pay for the closure of facilities. CleanCare, a chemical, solvent, and petroleum recycling facility from 1974-1999, closed its doors on November 17, 1999 with funds available for closure of less than $100,000. EPA had to assume responsibility for the closure, spending $4.3 million of taxpayer money.
Lack of industry stability from business changes due to sales, mergers, startups, closures and bankruptcies.

As long as hazardous waste is being generated we must find ways to manage it safely. Managing hazardous waste is not, however, the same as eliminating it.

By accepting the belief that existing laws and long-term management will protect us from the dangers of toxic chemicals, we discourage the notion that our needs can be met without generating hazardous substances in the first place.

Sources

Washington State Department of Ecology pub. #02-04-028

76% of the 105 hazardous waste handling facilities that have existed in Washington have had some degree of cleanup obligation because of contaminated soil or groundwater.

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