  |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 1995
95-162
CONTACT:
Megan White (360) 407-6702
Jerry Gilliland (360) 407-6149
NEW DANGEROUS WASTE RULES REDUCE CONFUSION AND IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
OLYMPIA, WA -- New dangerous waste rules aimed at reducing confusion and improving environmental protection have been adopted by the Washington Department of Ecology.
"These new rules are a major step forward in the state’s regulatory reform effort, while maintaining the highest level of environmental protection,” said Ecology Director Mary Riveland.
The new rules make it easier to identify hazardous wastes by removing overlapping testing requirements, she said. "Environmental protection will be improved because the requirements are easier to understand and implement. The changes are supported by scientific research.”
The rules apply to more than 7,800 businesses and agencies that generate or manage more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste each month. In addition, portions of the rules also apply to more than 10,000 auto repair shops, printing firms, dry cleaners and other firms whose activities result in smaller amounts of hazardous wastes.
The new rules better match up waste management requirements with waste hazards. For instance, Ecology will now allow slightly toxic wastes to be disposed of in state-of-the art municipal landfills. These landfills are equipped with liners and leak detection systems which will protect the environment. Allowing disposal of this type of waste at landfills will save Washington businesses about $80 per ton in disposal costs, or about $3.1 million per year.
"The new rules simplify hazardous waste management and save money for small businesses,” Riveland said. "A provision allowing small businesses to accumulate more waste before shipment will save each business $400 to $1,200 per year and statewide the savings will be $7 million to over $21 million,” she said.
"We believe these new rules fulfill Governor Mike Lowry’s pledge to protect the environment while making rules more user-friendly and getting rid of regulations which no longer provide added environmental protection,” Riveland said.
In a two-year process of revising the 17-year-old rules, Ecology staff worked with representatives from industry, environmental groups and local governments to develop ways to improve the current hazardous waste management system.
Copies of the new regulations may be obtained by contacting the Department of Ecology at P.O. Box 47658, Olympia, WA 98504-7658.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
