Hazardous waste cleanup programs - Washington

Washington (EPA Region 10) is fully authorized to implement its own Hazardous Waste Cleanup Program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is the lead agency for hazardous waste cleanup and corrective actions and has primary responsibility for implementing and enforcing related regulations. Washington laws and rules typically refer to hazardous waste as “dangerous waste,” as the state laws tend to be more protective than federal laws regarding waste. State laws establish strict liability for cleanup costs; set state-specific cleanup standards for soil, water, and air; provide cleanup funding mechanisms through faxes; and more.