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Clean Up, Clean Out, Follow Through!

So you’ve cleaned up a dirty situation, but now what do you do with those drums/totes/tanks of stuff? Don’t put them out back and forget about them, as one company did.  Daylin Davidson, Washington State Department of Ecology


NIC Global Manufacturing Solutions

NIC Global Manufacturing Solutions saves about $150,000 each year through strategic pollution prevention efforts at its Woodinville, WA plant. The facility assembles mechanical and electromechanical devices and fabricates sheet metal. Mariann Cook Andrews, Washington State Department of Ecology


Five Minutes to Safer Waste Handling...and Fewer Violations

According to the rule, containers must be closed except when waste is actively being added or removed. And “closed,” means nothing will spill if the container tips over. Seems obvious, but Ecology’s dangerous waste compliance inspectors often find containers that are not properly closed. Mariann Cook Andrews, Washington State Department of Ecology


Comments Due May 3 on Guidance for Safer Alternative Chemicals

Washington State is looking for your comments on a draft guidance document about finding alternatives to the use of toxic chemicals in products.  Kathy Davis and Alex Stone, Washington State Department of Ecology


Effective Cleaning the Greener Way

Every business needs cleaning products. The next time you’re ordering, consider “green” cleaning products. These are products that use less or no harmful chemicals. Tina Simcich, Washington State Department of Ecology


Join a Listserv to Learn About Dangerous Waste Facilities

Ecology is updating the e-mail listserv of people who want to get information on used oil and dangerous waste management facilities in Washington. Join today, it's free!  Nancy Farman, Washington State Department of Ecology


Ecology Studying Toxic Run-off from Roofing Materials

A recently completed Puget Sound Toxics Assessment indicated that run-off from roofing materials appears to be a source of toxic pollutants to waters in the Puget Sound basin. Ecology is studying the issue, using a grant from the National Estuary Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alli Kingfisher, Washington State Department of Ecology


New Publications Explain Ecology's Services and Requirements

There’s new information out on the universal waste rule for batteries and on how Ecology’s services add value to businesses. Those are just two of the topics covered by the five new or updated publications Ecology produced in January and February. Mariann Cook Andrews, Washington State Department of Ecology


This Survey is Not Spam

Some dangerous waste generators will be contacted this spring for a survey about Ecology’s outreach and education efforts (including the Shoptalk newsletter). We hope the information collected in the survey will help us create the most effective outreach and education materials and make the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars. Mariann Cook Andrews, Washington State Department of Ecology