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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.