What is Hazardous Waste?


A hazardous waste can be any waste with certain chemicals that are dangerous to human health or the environment. The process of determining if a waste is hazardous or not is called “designation.” Wastes can designate as hazardous if they are ignitable, very corrosive, reactive, toxic, and/or persistent in the environment.

Waste Designation

Designation is the process for determining if a waste is hazardous or not. The Department of Ecology has a designation flowchart that can help you through each step in the process. As you move through the designation process, you will need to reference certain parts of the Dangerous Waste Regulations.

Pollution Prevention

The best way to avoid the time and expense of managing hazardous waste is to reduce it or not generate it at all. The Business Pollution Prevention Program has several free resources available to business to help them reduce or eliminate their hazardous waste.

Hazardous Waste Management

You have hazardous waste, now what?

What you need to do with your hazardous waste depends in part on the amount you generate each month or store at your facility. After you designate your waste, you need to determine what your generator status is (see below).

What is My Hazardous Waste Generator Status?

Generator Status Amount of HW Generated per Month Amount of HW Stored on Site at Any One Time*

Small Quantity Generator (SQG) <220 lbs <2,200 lbs
Medium Quantity Generator (MQG) 220 – 2,200 lbs >2,200 lbs
Large Quantity Generator (LQG) >2,200 lbs >2,200 lbs

The Health District regulates businesses who generate more than 220 pounds or 100 kilograms of hazardous waste each month. See moderate risk waste requirements in Ordinance 2004-2, Solid Waste Regulations.