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Today's Reality

Compliance with the Dangerous Waste Regulations

From 1991 to 2000, the number of compliance inspections went up 334 percent and the number of environmental threats resolved increased 243 percent. This increase in the number of inspections conducted by HWTR Program staff is the result of two primary changes within the program. First, improvements were made to increase the efficiency of inspections and to focus on violations that presented potential environmental or human health threats. This allowed more time to be spent conducting inspections rather than doing associated paperwork. Secondly, the HWTR Program began conducting statewide, single-industry campaigns that focused outreach efforts of the staff to one industry at a time such as the automobile service industry.

The existing program focuses on preventing and managing wastes. The same precautions and safeguards are not in place for products and substances. It does not make sense to carefully regulate wastes from cradle to grave, but have no similar management requirements for products containing hazardous substances.

Some generators have voiced concern that Ecology inspectors can be inflexible and lack business experience or training. Businesses also wish to see more consistency between Ecology’s compliance staff and technical assistance staff as well as greater consistency between Ecology and EPA.

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