The Hazardous Waste Update newsletters help provide information to Thurston County business owners and managers on how to better manage and dispose of hazardous waste generated by their business.

Business owners are responsible for knowing which materials are hazardous, ensuring proper storage and labeling, and selecting an appropriate disposal service. These newsletters were developed in response to a need to notify businesses of periodic updates on hazardous waste regulations and management techniques.

2008

April 2008

• An Ounce of Prevention [PDF] — How the Business Pollution Prevention Program can assist businesses regarding proper management of hazardous materials and waste.
• Know the Hazards of the Products You Use! [PDF] — Understanding the hazards posed by some products that you use or store at your business.

2007

December 2007

• Waste Management: Fluorescent Lamps [PDF] — Five tips for fluorescent lamp management and how to recycle bulbs.
• Medical and Dental Technical Assistance Campaign Has Lasting Impact [PDF] — How the County has helped dental and medical facilities improve their treatment of hazardous wastes and minimize their impact on the environment.
• Recycled Latex Saves Money & Resources (pg 3) [PDF] — Find out about recycled paint and how it can save you money and help the environment.
• Get Ready for Rain, Cover Your Outdoor Storage Units (pg 4) [PDF] — Why businesses should protect outdoor storage areas from wet weather.

March 2007

• Automotive Service Industry Campaign [PDF] — Informing industry of hazardous materials management and disposal, minimizing waste, recycling, and offering other less-toxic alternatives.
• Spill Preparedness: Have a Plan (pg 2) [PDF] — The 5 topics a spill plan should address.
• Report from the Field: Machine Shops (pg 3) [PDF] — Report from the Business Pollution Prevention Program regarding machine shops and the potentially hazardous wastes they produce.
• Waste Management: Antifreeze (pg 4) [PDF] — Management and disposal of antifreeze; also lists antifreeze recyclers.

2006

October 2006

• Mercury Collection Update [PDF] — During Earth Week 2006, more than 140 items (close to 40 pounds) of mercury was collected from area businesses and residents.
• Waste Management — Aqueous Parts Washing (pg 2) [PDF] — Information about auto industry parts washers.
• What Makes a Waste Hazardous? (pg 2) [PDF] — Ignitability (flammable), corrosivity (acids/bases), reactivity (incompatible materials), toxicity (poisons).
• Report from the Field: Dental Campaign (pg 3) [PDF] — Informing the dental industry of hazardous materials management and disposal.

June 2006

• X-Ray and Photographic Processing Wastes [PDF] — Drop-off and pick-up services
• Fluorescent Lamps [PDF] — Recycling Fluorescent Lamps

January 2006

• X-Ray Processing [PDF] — Report from the Business Pollution Prevention Program regarding businesses that operate and maintain x-ray processing equipment.
• Mercury Reduction Law [PDF] — Notification that as of January 1, 2006, it is illegal to sell or distribute in Washington certain mercury-containing products, such as thermometers and manometers (blood pressure measuring devices). Also included are articles on the mercury switch replacement and removal program, removing mercury from school labs, choosing low-mercury fish, and recycling fluorescent lamps.
• Fluorescent Lamp Recyclers (pg 2) [PDF] — Disposing of fluorescent lights, including recycling with local retailers.

2005

August 2005

• Floor Drains [PDF] — How improperly sited floor drains can be a liability for businesses and landowners.
• Shop Towels [PDF] — Using shop towels that are contaminated with certain chemicals, how to store them and if they can be used.
• Spills and Leaks - Hardware/Home & Garden Stores (pg 3) [PDF] — How hardware stores and home/garden centers handle spills and leaks of hazardous materials, and safely store and dispose of resulting hazardous wastes.

March 2005

• Changes to the WA State Dangerous Waste Regulations [PDF] — How these changes may affect certain businesses.
• Cleaning up Wash Water Problems [PDF] — Washing vehicles and other equipment can introduce pollutants, heavy metals, soaps and detergents, and soluble organic materials into stormwater, affecting salmon, shellfish harvesting, and drinking water. This article informs businesses of their options for collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater.
• Doing Business on Thurston County Shorelines (pg 3) [PDF] — Report from the Thurston County Business Pollution Prevention Program regarding hazardous waste management of businesses operating in sensitive environmental areas.
• Used Oil and Small Quantity Generators (pg 4) [PDF] — Revised Dept. of Ecology WAC guidelines and requirements clarify how used oil generated by small quantity generators must be managed.

2004

October 2004

• Secondary Containment [PDF] — Storing liquid hazardous materials in liquid-tight container to prevent spills or leaks from escaping into the environment.
• Beyond HazoHouse [PDF] — Where does hazardous waste go from HazoHouse.
• Photo Processors (pg 3) [PDF] — Photographic fixer solutions contain silver which is toxic and requires proper treatment or disposal.

June 2004

• Electronics [PDF] — Where to recycle or dispose of computers and other business electronics.
• Marina Campaign [PDF] — Report on the marine repair/ maintenance business and how to minimize storage of hazardous materials and proper disposal.
• Furniture Campaign (pg 3) [PDF] — Report on the furniture business and how less-hazardous materials or processes can be incorporated.

February 2004

• Spill Kit [PDF] — Assemble a spill kit for small spills of less- dangerous materials.
• "Rehab The Lab" [PDF] — Report on school chemistry labs and encouraging long-term chemical alternatives, controlling inventory, and performing small-scale experiments.
• Spills [PDF] — How to reduce spills with a special designated "accumulation area."

2003

November 2003

• Improvements at HazoHouse [PDF] — A revamped HazoHouse is more customer friendly, convenient, and safer.
• Transport Tips (pg 2) [PDF] — Tips on transporting hazardous materials.

Fall 2003

• Nursery Campaign [PDF] — Report on nurseries and how pesticides and other hazardous materials should be stored and disposed and how to prevent spills.
• How Empty is "Empty"? (pg 2) [PDF] — What constitutes an empty container for disposal after it has contained a chemical residue.
• Links (pg 3) [PDF] — Popular websites for small businesses with hazardous waste.

Spring 2003

• Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) [PDF] — How SQGs are regulated, what constitutes an SQG, and how to determine if a waste is hazardous.
• Auto Recyclers Campaign [PDF] — Report on auto recyclers and which wastes they must remove during vehicle processing.
• Antifreeze (pg 3) [PDF] — How businesses can recycle or dispose of antifreeze; also lists antifreeze recyclers servicing Thurston County.

2002

November 2002

• Cover Your Outdoor Storage Units [PDF] — Tips on keeping rain out of outdoor hazardous materials storage.

July 2002

• Universal Waste Rule [PDF] — Offers regulatory relief for small businesses that recycle or properly dispose of batteries and mercury-containing thermostats and fluorescent lamps; also lists universal waste recyclers servicing Thurston County.
• Small Engine Repair [PDF] — Report on small engine and marine engine repair shops and to reduce hazardous waste, use less-toxic products, and other best management practices of hazardous materials.

April 2002

• Chemical Storage [PDF] — Inspection tips to find storage problems before they become big issues.

January 2002

• Fluorescent Lamps [PDF] — How to dispose of fluorescent lights and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps; also lists fluorescent lamp recyclers.
• Doing Business in a Sensitive Environment (pg 3) [PDF] — Helping businesses in sensitive areas (wellhead protection areas) reduce the use of hazardous materials, and ensure proper disposal and storage.