Washington State Agency Creates New Rules for Waste Handling

The state of Washington’s Department of Ecology has adopted a rule that will replace outdated regulations for collecting and disposing of solid wastes.

The new rule clarifies 15-year-old waste-handling regulations by simplifying language and grouping similar topics together.  It also streamlines the permit process for some waste-handling facilities and lifts regulatory requirements on some types of waste.

"By listening to the people at the facilities who actually use the rule, we reduced the red tape without compromising environmental protections," said Cullen Stephenson, who manages Ecology's solid-waste program.

The department aimed to help facility operators work better with their customers and the state, make it easier for them to reduce the amount of garbage going into landfills and do more to encourage people to re-use and recycle wastes.

The new rule offers flexibility to waste handlers who want to implement new technology, rather than requiring the use of traditional equipment.  The new technology now will be judged by how well it protects human health and the environment, regardless of when it was developed.

"The new rule will be more welcoming and encouraging when it comes to

innovative technology and design," said Stephenson.