Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
County Contacts
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Thurston County Washington

Public Health and Social Services

Business Pollution Prevention

 

pollution prevention assistance logo
small changes make a big difference

 

Thurston County 's Hazardous Waste Program provides pollution prevention assistance and regulates businesses that handle, store, or generate hazardous materials or waste. 

  • The goal of this program is to incentivize businesses to adopt best management practices that reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals.

Business Pollution Prevention Technical Assistance

  • Thurston County Hazardous Waste Program
    • Participates in the Pollution Prevention Partnership
      • Funded through the Department of Ecology
    • Provides free technical assistance to businesses generating, handling, or storing hazardous materials or waste
  • Technical Assistance Visits
    • Aim to reduce or eliminate hazardous waste and pollutants at the source
    • Local pollution prevention specialists evaluate current activities and practices
    • Discuss concerns, observations, and solutions
    • Address challenges around dangerous wastes, stormwater, solid waste, and spill prevention
    • Collaborative process limits liability, reduces risk, and improves work environments
  • Compliance Goals
  • Notices Issued
    • Notice of Compliance (NOC)
      • Given when a business is compliant
      • Describes managed waste stream, monthly amount, and management methods
    • Notice of Non-Compliance (NONC)
      • Issued if not compliant at the conclusion of the visit
      • Details wastes or products that need addressing for compliance
  • Business Feedback
    • Most businesses are pleased with visit outcomes due to free resources from the Dept. of Ecology 
    • Some may need to invest in pollution prevention equipment or supplies
    • Many are compliant before visits or can make simple changes to manage waste streams
  • Further Information
Thurston County Logo
pollution prevention logo from Ecology
ecology logo
  • Thurston County pollution prevention specialist will preform visits based off of the current campaigns. 
    • This is so our specialists can focus on certain pollution pathways and easier track which sites to visit. 
    • This does not mean that if you are not in our current campaign or you were in a past campaign that we cannot visit you. If you would like to schedule a visit please contact the Solid and Hazardous Waste Program at: 360-867-2664 or email us at PHSSPollutionPrevention@co.thurston.wa.us 

Automotive Services

The automotive services campaign focused on commonly generated wastes streams, which include used oil, antifreeze, solvents, and paint-related waste. Technologies that allow for the use of non- or less-toxic cleaners were emphasized, as were proper storage, disposal or recycling of waste materials. Additionally, aqueous parts washers, spill prevention and secondary containment were highlighted. For more information, please see the following:

Nurseries

This campaign helped Thurston County nurseries, including tree and turf farms, become aware of environmental and public health risks from improper storage, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. The primary issues were disposal and secondary containment. To find out more, visit the links below:

Dental Waste

This campaign helped Thurston County dentists become aware of potentially hazardous wastes that are generated by dental facilities, such as silver-containing x-ray chemicals, scrap mercury amalgam, chair-side sink traps, and vacuum pump filters that contain heavy metals that must be managed properly.  Reported reduction was 21% decrease in mercury coming into LOTT after the dental campaign.  To find out more, visit the links below:

Photographic

This campaign helped Thurston County photo developers become aware of the various hazardous wastes photo developing products generate, which must be managed properly to protect the environment and worker health and safety. These hazardous chemicals must be disposed of by recycling or through a permitted hazardous waste management facility.

Furniture

This campaign helped County furniture manufacturing, repair, and finishing businesses become aware of the hazardous materials they use, offering less-hazardous materials and processes in their operations. See the link below for more information:

Marinas

This campaign worked with Thurston County marinas in providing hazardous waste collection bins along with gloves, containers, and labels so that boaters could label and deposit hazardous materials. For additional information, see the following document.

Printing

This campaign helped commercial printers in the County become aware of the wide variety of hazardous wastes their businesses generate and how to treat, recycle, or dispose of them. See the link below for more information:

Retail Businesses

This campaign helped retail businesses in the County manage and properly dispose of hazardous materials generated as a result of doing business.  For additional information, see below.

X-Ray Processors

This county campaign raised awareness of proper handling of silver waste from X-rays, including disposal options (drop-off and pick-up services and on-site silver treatment).  Reported reduction of 34% decrease in incoming silver coming into LOTT after the X-ray and film developer campaign.  To find out more, visit the following links:

Auto Recyclers

This campaign helped Thurston County auto recyclers become aware of seven hazardous materials (gas, oil, antifreeze, batteries, Freon, lead tire weights, and residual liquid from crushing) contained in automobiles that should be removed from vehicles and reused, recycled, or disposed according to regulations. The County developed options for each of these hazardous wastes with an emphasis on reuse and recycling. For additional information, see the following document.

Small Engines

This campaign helped Thurston County small engine repair shops become aware of proper handling of hazardous wastes and modify outdoor marine engine testing to eliminate the release of environmental pollutants. To find out more, visit the following link:

School Labs

This campaign focused on Thurston County school labs, emphasizing chemical management, safety, purchasing, record keeping, and removal of high-risk chemicals. To read about this campaign, visit the link below:

  • Thurston County PHSS Environmental Health has developed many fact sheets for local businesses to use as a reference and to answer questions that may arise
    • We try to hand these fact sheets out at visits for free for educational purposes 
    • You are welcome to download/print and use these for your businesses needs! 

How to Report:

Contact Ecology Southwest Region Spills 360-407-6300 or call 911.

To the best of your ability, please be ready with the following information:

  • Where is the spill?
  • What spilled?
  • How much spilled?
  • How concentrated is the spilled material?
  • Who spilled the material?
  • Is anyone cleaning up the spill?
  • Are there resource damages (e.g. dead fish or oiled birds)?
  • Who is reporting the spill? (This can be kept confidential if you choose)

Thurston County will assist citizens and real estate agents by providing information about contaminated properties. However, if you suspect that a property is currently being used as a meth lab, please call the Thurston County Sheriff's non-emergency number at 360-704-2740.

Thurston County’s ordinance for contaminated properties from illegal drug manufacturing or storage.  Title 10; Chapter 10.92

Washington State regulations for contaminated properties. TItle 64; Chapter 64.44 RCW

Washington State regulations for decontamination of illegal drug manufacturing or storage sites Title 246; Chapter 246-205 WAC

Hazardous Waste Program Roles and Regulations

Thurston County's Hazardous Waste Management Plan.

Thurston County's Nonpoint Source Pollution Ordinance (Article VI of the Sanitary Code).

Washington State Administrative Code WAC 173-350-360 Moderate Risk Waste Handling.   

Hazardous Waste Disposal & Recycling Guidance 

Contact the Solid and Hazardous Waste Program at: 360-867-2664 or email us at PHSSPollutionPrevention@co.thurston.wa.us if you have additional questions.