DTG Recycling faces $3.3M penalty from Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has filed a complaint against Bothell, Washington-based DTG Enterprises Inc., doing business as DTG Recycling, for allegedly violating state law by engaging in business as a solid waste collection company without the required certificate between Jan. 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023.

According to UTC, DTG received a Common Carrier Permit in January 2017, which does not allow solid waste collection and disposal. From 2020-2023, UTC says it received complaints about DTG’s operations, including transport and disposal of solid waste.

“Staff communicated with DTG about the violations with clear instructions on becoming compliant and attached an application for a solid waste certificate,” UTC says in a news release. “The application was not submitted until July 2024.”

UTC claims DTG collected and received 186,898 tons of waste for disposal in Snohomish County between Jan. 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023, and by doing so, committed 3,389 violations of RCW 81.77.040 by transporting 3,389 loads of residual solid waste from its material recovery facility (MRF) to Snohomish County solid waste facilities.

UTC is recommending the commission assess a penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation, totaling $3,389,000. Additionally, UTC is requesting a cease-and-desist order be issued directing DTG to stop any operations that violate the Revised Code of Washington.

A spokesperson for DTG told The Olympian that DTG would be filing a Motion to Dismiss in response to the complaint.

UTC will hold a prehearing conference to establish a schedule to review the complaint.

Washington State law requires companies to obtain a solid waste certificate from the commission to transport solid waste for compensation.

DTG Enterprises Inc. is the largest recycler of commercial, industrial, construction and demolition waste in the Pacific Northwest, according to UTC.

Recycling Today has reached out to DTG Recycling for comment.