Thurston County, Washington

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Thurston County Washington

Public Works

Hazardous Waste Management 2025 -2030

Proper management of hazardous waste is essential to protect the environment, human health, and public safety, while also ensuring compliance with laws and regulations designed to meet these goals. In accordance with Washington State law, Thurston County recently updated its Hazardous Waste Management Plan (HWMP) to guide management strategies of Moderate Risk Waste (MRW). 

Mission Statement for Plan

Thurston County and the participating jurisdictions provide citizens and small businesses with efficient, reliable, and affordable hazardous waste collection, prevention, and policy services in order to improve the quality of life through reducing or eliminating exposures to hazardous materials, while protecting and preserving human health, environmental quality, and natural resources. 

The image shows a line of industrial drums equipped with dedicated Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) hoods and ducting to capture airborne contaminants directly at the source.

Hazardous Waste Types

  • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): Waste that is generated by homeowners from common household chemicals. 
  • Small Quantity Generator (SQG) Waste: Waste from businesses that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month and are conditionally exempt from Washington State Dangerous Waste regulations if the waste is managed properly. 
  • Moderate Risk Waste (MRW): MRW includes waste generated by homeowners from common household chemicals and businesses that generate <220 lbs of hazardous waste per month. 

Explore the Plan

The HWMP includes strategies for managing, storing, diverting, treating, reusing, processing, and properly disposing of MRW, as well as guidance to households and businesses on best management practices that reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals while protecting the environment. 

Read the Full Plan

 

A collection of household hazardous waste items piled together. The items include paint cans dripping with blue paint, a can of bug spray, a bottle of muriatic acid, charcoal lighter fluid, a car battery, fluorescent light bulbs, a floodlight, and various other chemical cleaners, fertilizers, and aerosol cans.

 

Chapter 1: Introduction and Background 

Provides general information about the HWMP, including its purpose and development process, its relationship to other state and local documents, and regulatory overview. 

Read Chapter 1

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Chapter 2: Demographics 

Includes information on resident and business demographics and the MRW stream based on the 2022-2023 Waste Characterization Study. 

Read Chapter 2

A facility worker wearing a bright orange safety vest stands outside a building next to a black pickup truck. The worker is holding and looking down at a mobile device. The truck has wooden slats extending above its bed. In the background, trees and an open outdoor space are visible under a covered overhang area.

 

Chapter 3: Public Engagement Surveys 

Presents the results of a survey effort conducted on behalf of this update to gather input from the local community on MRW management, programs and practices. The findings from this survey helped inform the final recommendations included in the HWMP. 

Read Chapter 3

A collection of eco-friendly cleaning supplies arranged on a wooden surface. On the left is a large teal "Healthy Homes" drawstring bag. In front of it sits a small orange box of baking soda, a folded blue microfiber cloth, a scrub brush with a blue handle, and a metal squeegee. In the background are bottles of liquid soap, distilled white vinegar, a white bottle, and an empty plastic spray bottle.

 

Chapter 4: Existing Facilities and Programs 

Discusses the existing MRW facilities in Thurston County as well as collection programs, education and outreach, and technical assistance. 

Read Chapter 4

An industrial facility room containing multiple metal barrels and a large ventilation hood system with overhead pipes. On the left are storage shelves, a red gas can, and a large drum filled with white material. Three black barrels sit underneath the vents against the back wall. To the right, a stack of grey barrels rests near a warning sign. A worker wearing a bright orange safety vest stands in the open doorway leading to an adjacent area.

 

Chapter 5: Administration and Financing 

Addresses the administrative and financing activities related to hazardous waste, including responsible agencies and jurisdictions. 

Read Chapter 5

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Chapter 6: Strategy Analysis and Implementation Plan 
Includes recommended strategies for MRW management, the cost and schedule for implementation, and maintaining the HWMP moving forward. 

Read Chapter 6

Contact Us

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