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Regulations
The Dangerous Waste Regulations
Before starting a construction, renovation or
demolition project, contact the county building planning or
permitting authority for local regulatory information.
The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program
at the Department of Ecology regulates dangerous or hazardous waste
management and disposal.
Dangerous Products are not regulated by the
Hazardous Waste Program. Usable left over paint, glue, caulking
compound, etc. left by a contractor for the property owner's
future use are not considered wastes if they are used or recycled.
Household Hazardous Wastes is exempt or
removed from the dangerous waste rules. Household waste is not
necessarily exempt from other regulations. Refer to Household
Hazardous Wastes for more specific information.
Abandoned Dangerous Waste such as paints,
fertilizers, pesticides, used oil, antifreeze, batteries, tires
and so on can be found at construction and demolition sites. Both
household and regulated business wastes have been anonymously
dumped at work sites or on vacant lots.
- City of Seattle Hotline to report graffiti and
abandoned waste: 206.684.PKUP.
Spills of dangerous wastes are regulated by
the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program at the Department
of Ecology.
Soil Cleanup of pre-existing contamination
is regulated by the Toxics Cleanup Program at Ecology. For more
information refer to Dangerous
Waste Contamination in the Soil.
The Solid Waste Program at the Washington
State Department of Ecology and local health departments
regulate solid waste disposal.
Ecology's Solid Waste regulation was changed from
Chapter 173-304 WAC to
Chapter 173-350 of the Washington
Administrative Code (referred to as the WAC) and became effective on
Feb. 10, 2003. Municipal Solid Waste Landfills are still regulated
under Chapter 173-351 WAC. Refer to Chapter 173–350 WAC for the
actual Solid Waste regulations. A hard copy of Chapter 173-350 WAC
is also available by calling (360)407-6038.
The new rule provides for two types of non-municipal
solid waste landfills, inert waste landfills and limited purpose
landfills. “Inert waste” is defined as solid waste that meets the
criteria for inert waste in Chapter 173-350-990.(hyperlink) Inert
landfills may only manage concrete, asphalt, masonry, ceramics,
glass, aluminum, and stainless steel. In order for other materials
to be considered inert, they must meet the criteria. These types of
material do not pose any significant environmental risk.
Limited purpose landfills are available to accept many other types
of wastes including industrial waste, demolition waste, problem
waste, and wood waste. Design criteria for limited purpose landfills
are performance based, subject to location standards, design and
operating criteria, ground water monitoring, and financial
assurance. Limited purpose landfill design specifications may often
include a liner and leachate collection system.
Land clearing wastes includes such material as rocks and soil,
vegetation, and wood from trees and shrubs that have been removed
from a job site before construction begins. It is recommended that
woody debris go to a recycling facility for composting or made into
mulch. The only acceptable disposal options (other than recycling)
for either land clearing or plaster wastes is in a limited purpose
landfill, incinerator, or municipal solid waste landfill regulated
under Chapter 173-351 WAC.
Other state and federal agencies also
regulate construction and demolition. This guide provides limited
information about other agency's rules.
The state Department
of Labor and Industries Exit
Ecology (L&I), and the Washington
Industrial Safety and Health Act Exit
Ecology (WISHA), are based on federal OSHA and EPA
regulations.
L&I's Safety Standard for Construction Work,
WAC 296-155
Exit Ecology is
available though the WAC Regulations on the L&I Publications
homepage at http://www.wa.gov/lni/
Exit Ecology, or
call (360) 902-5500 for a free copy, or to ask for a free, no
penalties, consultation on the requirements of the construction
standard.
Safety Standards for Construction Work includes
a section of standards for demolition in Part S 296-155-775
through -830. Some requirements are; an engineering survey, a
written demolition plan or method of operation, and a
determination whether asbestos and other hazardous materials are
present at the work site. Apparent or suspected
asbestos-containing materials must be removed prior to demolition.
This applies to other hazardous substances as well.
