Placeholder for snippet from air, land, water, toxics, waste, or other image

My Watershed

Frequently Asked Business Activities Questions

    Construction

  • I subcontract with another company who disposes all my waste. Why do I have to pay the fee?
    The law states if you are in business and your activities generate any amount of waste, you are required to pay the fee.

  • I only frame buildings. Do I have to pay a fee?
    If you generate waste paints, solvents, petroleum products, or adhesives, you still owe the fee.

  • We are a general contractor and subcontract out all work projects. Are we subject to the fee?
    If your company maintains a warehouse and generates waste petroleum products and solvents from maintenance activities on buildings or equipment, the fee applies.

  • My business uses heavy equipment and I do not believe I generate waste.  Why do I have to pay the fee?

  • If your fleet of equipment is maintained on-site and waste petroleum products are generated, the fee applies.

    Painting/Floor Laying

  • I only use latex paint, no oil based paints or solvents. Am I subject to the fee?
    Latex paint designates as dangerous waste because of fungicides and other substances. The fee applies because the waste is generated as residuals in containers and clean-up activities.

  • I am a carpet layer and don’t believe I generate any waste.  What waste do I generate?
    It depends on the carpet laying process. If only tacking strips are used, no hazardous waste is generated, submit a fee waiver request. If you apply adhesives, wastes are generated from empty containers, or from clean-up activities and the fee applies.

    Wood Household Furniture
  • I run a small shop and make household wood furniture and/or fixtures. I do not stain or paint, but do use wood glue from a glue pot I refill. Am I subject to the fee?
    If waste glues are generated, the fee applies.
    Printing & Publishing
  • I am a desk top publisher, everything is computer-based, no printing press or inks. Am I subject to the fee?
    You are classed in the category that includes both desktop publishers and ink press establishments, which produce hazardous waste.

    Local & Suburban Transit

  • I own a limousine/taxi. Do I have to pay the fee?
    Maintenance activities on your vehicle fleet generates waste oils and solvents. If you do your own maintenance on your fleet, the fee applies.
    Wholesale Trade
  • We are wholesalers, not manufacturers located outside the state. Why did we receive a bill?
    You evidently sell product in the state through a sales representative or sell directly to clients in Washington. If you have no facilities in the state or any generated waste streams, submit a fee waiver request. However, if you have warehousing in the state and generate waste from maintenance activities or product spillage, the fee applies.

    New & Used Car Dealers

  • I own a used car lot and received this bill. Do I have to pay the fee?
    If waste petroleum products are generated from maintenance activities, the fee applies.

    Gasoline Service Stations/Convenience Stores w/ Gas Pumps

  • I own a gasoline station/mini mart with fuel. Why was I billed?
    Spillage of pumped fuel is a waste stream and the fee applies.