PROGRAM FAQ'S

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Program FAQs

The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County is a regional program that works to protect and enhance public health and environmental quality by reducing the threat posed by the production, use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials. Here is some general information about the Program and the fees that support it.

1. What is the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County?
2. What does the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program do for the residents of King County?
3. What does the Program do for businesses?
4. How much do King County residents and businesses pay?
5. When was the last fee increase?
6. Why was the 2005 fee increase necessary?
7. Is there any charge for household hazardous waste collection?
8. Why is the Program updating its plan and how can I participate?

1. What is the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County?

The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County is a regional program that works to protect and enhance public health and environmental quality in King County by helping citizens, businesses, and government reduce the threat posed by the production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. The Program comprises the City of Seattle, King County, and the suburban cities within King County.

2. What does the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program do for the residents of King County?

The Program provides the following household hazardous waste collection services to King County residents:

• Three household hazardous waste collection facilities (one in North Seattle, one in South Seattle, and one at the Factoria Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Service in Bellevue)
• Household hazardous waste collection events at the Wastemobile, which travels throughout King County.

Household hazardous waste collection/recycling events are also held in many suburban cities. These events typically collect a limited range of hazardous household materials. Check with the city recycling coordinator to find out whether a city has collection events, when they are scheduled, and what they accept.

The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program also provides information about ways to reduce the generation of hazardous waste and information regarding safe and effective alternatives. Program staff work with schools, through teacher training, teacher support, and healthy schools projects, and in the community on issues such as green gardening, natural yard care, and green cleaning.

Finally, the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program is working to eliminate and/or reduce exposure to the most problematic chemicals, including mercury, lead, and certain pesticides. The Program also devotes resources to reducing the exposure of children and other vulnerable and traditionally underserved groups.

3. What does the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program do for businesses?

The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program helps businesses and other organizations that generate small quantities of hazardous waste comply with state Dangerous Waste Regulations (WAC 173-303). Our staff help conditionally exempt small quantity generators reduce the likelihood of penalty and clean-up costs. Staff also help businesses to reduce their liability by helping them find ways to use less toxic materials and to properly store and dispose of the hazardous materials they use.

The Program provides free, on-site technical assistance visits, financial incentives, the EnviroStars recognition program, the Industrial Materials Exchange (IMEX) and information about ways to reduce and properly manage business wastes.

Finally, the Program is implementing a Business Waste Disposal Pilot Project for Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) to determine the feasibility of letting qualified businesses dispose of limited quantities of hazardous waste at the household hazardous waste collection facilities. Businesses using the service must complete a disposal form and participate in a survey in exchange for the opportunity to use the collection facilities at no charge. Specific guidelines are available online. The project started in February 2008 and was extended through December 2009, or as budget allows.

4. How much do King County residents and businesses pay?

Households
Households with a residential solid waste account pay approximately $0.80 per month. Households with a residential sewer account pay about $0.34 per month. Residents living in a multi-family dwelling (e.g. condo, apartment, etc.) typically pay less.

Businesses
Businesses with a commercial solid waste account pay approximately $9.07 per month. Businesses with a commercial sewer account pay an amount that is related to the amount of water used, but at least $0.34 per month.

If the business shares its solid waste costs with other businesses (for example, businesses in office buildings or strip malls often share a dumpster), the cost is likely to be less per month.

Transfer station fees: 
Residents who haul their own garbage to a transfer station in a passenger-licensed vehicle pay $1.34 per visit into the Local Hazardous Waste Fund. If the garbage is hauled to a transfer station in a non-passenger licensed vehicle, the charge is $3.50 per ton.

^1. The rate for the sewer fee is based on the estimated rate per “residential equivalent unit.”

5. When was the fees last increased?

At its meeting on May 20, 2005 the King County Board of Health unanimously approved a fee increase for the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County. They did so after carefully studying the finances, activities and performance of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. The new rates took effect January 1, 2006. This was the Program’s first fee increase in ten years.

6. Why was the 2005 fee increase necessary?

The fee increase was necessary for the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program to continue its then-current level of service to residents and businesses in King County. If the rate increase had not been approved, the Program would have been forced to reduce its operating budget by approximately $2 million - with a corresponding cutback in services. Some services would have been eliminated.

7. Is there any charge for household hazardous waste collection?

Residents are not charged fees at the Wastemobile or the fixed collection facilities. The monthly sewer and solid waste fees fund those activities.
Note: Actual cost to the Program is approximately $80 per customer visit.

8. Why is the Program updating its Plan and how can individuals participate?

The Local Hazardous Waste Plan was adopted in 1990 and the Program began offering services in 1991. The original Plan has been updated only once, in 1997. The Program is proposing to update the Plan in 2009-2010 for reasons described on the Plan Update page. Persons living or working in King County are encouraged to participate in the Plan Update process.