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Business consultations, incentives, and other services
No-cost, in-person consultations and financial incentives to help your business handle hazardous waste, prevent pollution, and keep workers safe.
Services
Is your business eligible for our services? To qualify, your business must:
- Be located in King County
- Produce less than 220lbs (about 25 gallons) of hazardous waste per month
- Produce less than 2.2lbs (about a quart) of acutely hazardous waste per month
- Store less than 2,200lbs (about four 55-gallons drums) of hazardous waste
For more information about small quantity generator (SQG) qualification, visit the Washington State Department of Ecology website.
Free On-Site Consultation
Safe management of hazardous waste is good business—and we can help. Get customized recommendations to help you manage hazardous waste so it doesn’t harm your workers, community, or the environment.
Schedule a no-cost consultation with our technical staff for customized recommendations for your business.
We’ll help you:
- Manage hazardous materials and wastes effectively.
- Find safer alternatives to hazardous products.
- Understand applicable hazardous waste regulations.
- Get cash back for improvements or disposal expenses.
- Gain recognition for environmentally friendly practices.
- Provide spill management materials and tools specific to your business.
- Create a spill management plan.
- Train your employees in spill prevention and response.
Following our recommendations can create a safer workplace, reduce business liability, and prevent costly hazardous spills.
Receive Cash Back for Improvements or Disposal Expenses
Your eligible business can receive up to $599 cash back for hazardous waste improvements recommended during an on-site consultation visit.
The money can be used for disposal and recycling, equipment and process changes (including secondary containment, spill control, and substitution of less toxic materials), and personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees. The money cannot be used for recurring annual costs, such as ongoing storm drain maintenance or replenishing supplies of PPE or safer products beyond initial adoption.
Switch to Safer Degreasers
Degreasers are cleaning products used to break down stubborn greases, grimes, residues, and other contaminants. Many traditional degreasers contain hazardous air pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals that can pose dangers to workers, community members, and the environment.
The Haz Waste Program provides expert advice and financial support so businesses can make the switch to safer products and equipment, all while keeping costs down and operations efficient.
Learn more:
- Flyer: Safer Degreasers
- Blog post: King County businesses are switching to safer degreasers. Here’s how the Haz Waste Program can help.
- Blog post: Ways to stay safe when degreasing and cleaning auto or machine parts
Contact Us
To learn more about financial incentives or schedule a free consultation, please call 206-296-4692 or email haz.waste@kingcounty.gov. Free translation services are available.
Industrial Materials Exchange (IMEX)
IMEX is a free service that helps businesses find, give away, or sell surplus materials and hazardous products. Save on disposal and purchase costs while conserving energy, resources, and landfill space.
What to Expect After Submitting a Listing:
- Confirm your listing via the confirmation email.
- Our staff reviews your submission to ensure it meets our policy.
- If approved, you'll receive a notification email (keep this for your records).
- If not approved, you'll receive an email with revision recommendations.
- Approved listings usually appear the next business day. Listings expire in 30, 60, or 90 days. You’ll get an email three days before expiration to extend or remove your listing.
How to Delete or Change Your Listing:
- Exchanged: Click the "exchanged" link in your approval email.
- Partially Exchanged: Email imex@kingcounty.gov to update your listing.
- Not Exchanged: Click the "deactivate" link in your approval email.
Recycling and Treating Hazardous Waste
Recycle Materials On-Site or Through a Recycler:
Recycling eliminates the need to dispose of excess material as waste. In Washington, "universal waste" – such as batteries, mercury-containing thermostats, and most fluorescent lamps – doesn’t count toward waste generation totals when recycled. Contact us to find a recycler for a specific type of waste or for information about on-site recycling.
Treat the Waste:
Treating hazardous waste can reduce its volume or make it less hazardous. You can treat your business’s hazardous waste following guidance from the Washington State Department of Ecology, or a permitted waste vendor can handle the treatment for you.
For more information, call 206-296-4692 or email haz.waste@kingcounty.gov.