Bottleworks shows manufacturing good for economy and the environment

by Ken Zarker, pollution prevention specialist, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program




Tim Andis, president and CEO of Liberty Bottleworks, shows his company’s award to his local congressman, Rep. Doc Hastings of Washington’s 4th District.
Liberty Bottleworks of Union Gap, Washington, took top honors at
the 2013 Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on

Take five minutes to avoid the most common dangerous waste violation

By Mariann Cook Andrews, Outreach Specialist, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program

Why is it that some simple things seem to be the ones that don’t get done? Like putting the cap back on the toothpaste? Forgetting to keep toothpaste closed won’t cause much of a problem, except for the next person who wants to use it.

But what about keeping the lid on a drum of used antifreeze? Or a can

Washington State’s Reported Toxic Releases Go Down Again in 2011

by Diane Fowler, Toxics Release Inventory Coordinator, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently posted its latest analysis of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data. While the national data show a 9% (300 million pounds) increase in on-site releases for 2011, on-site releases in Washington have decreased 19% (3.5 million pounds).

Ecology continues to work to reduce toxics in products

By Dr. Alex Stone, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction

Ecology worked with the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse to release a study documenting the results of testing for toxics in vibrantly colored plastic bags. Specifically, the study evaluated the inks and colorants used in the bags for the presence of four toxic metals — lead, chromium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium.

The Clearinghouse

Toxics ban promotes innovative design, gives salmon a brake

By Ken Zarker, Ecology Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction

Like most people, I generally don’t spend a lot of time thinking about brake pads. Brakes are critical to our safety and vehicle performance. But it wasn’t until 2010 that I learned brake pads on our cars and trucks are a source of toxic chemical pollution. Every time we tap on the brakes, the resulting “brake dust” residue ends up on

Doing well by doing right – Pollution Prevention Planning

By K Seiler, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction manager


This is Pollution Prevention Week (Sept. 17-23), designated at both the national and Washington State level. For more than two decades, government and business have worked together to build the concepts of pollution prevention into our daily lives and consciousness. So we are frequently asked, “Is the job done? Has 20 years been enough?”

Preventing pollution pays big dividends; lets keep at it!

By K Seiler, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction manager

I’m excited to announce this week is National Pollution Prevention Week and an opportunity to recognize Washington State success stories achieved by industry! I’m energized by these results, and the savings of more than $45 million reported by a subset of Washington businesses through our state Pollution Prevention Program since 2005.

Ecology’s Director Sturdevant tells D.C. panel why federal chemical policy needs updating

By Ken Zarker, Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program

Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant testified on Nov. 17 at the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 . In conveying his views, Ted outlined the reasons why states care about modernizing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). He talked about what states have had to do faced with an outdated and