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

Test your knowledge about fuel-efficient driving

No-idle signs give good reminder
by Melanie Forster, Air Quality Program, Southwest Regional Office


Many of us know that unnecessary engine idling pollutes the air
and wastes fuel. But we all could use a friendly reminder, even Department of
Ecology employees whose job is to protect our environment. “No-Idle Zone” signs
have recently appeared in Ecology's parking areas. You may have seen

Happy 40th Anniversary Clean Water Act

By Joye Redfield-Wilder and Sandy Howard

Forty years ago, on Oct. 18, 1972, the U.S. Congress enacted the Clean Water Act designed to end pollution to the nation’s rivers, lakes and bays.

For the past several months, Northwest Public Radio’s EarthFix — a public media project with many regional public broadcasting partners — has been reporting on different aspects of the Act’s influences for

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.

Pacific Steel and Recycling takes the downside out of recycling - sometimes a visit is all it takes

By Elaine Snouwaert and Jani Gilbert, Water Quality Program, Eastern Regional Office

Pacific Steel and Recycling, with Washington Department of Ecology’s help, has recently undergone some big changes in Spokane so their recycling operation is part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Surface water, like lakes, rivers and streams, is especially vulnerable to pollution in urban areas

Department of Ecology responds to EarthFix post: “Clean Water Act’s Anti-Pollution Goals Prove Elusive”

By Sandy Howard and Larry Altose, Department of Ecology communications

Recent online reporting published in EarthFix takes a critical look at efforts by Washington to enforce the industrial point source requirements of the Clean Water Act. The article focuses in particular on the Washington Department of Ecology’s work to control pollution discharges from a particular firm.

We believe this

Fix that Leak! - Youth drive home clean water point

by Justine Asohmbom, Shorelines & Stormwater Education Manager for Puget Sound, Northwest Regional Office



** NEW 2013 Workshops! for more information about FREE workshops see Don't Drip and Drive - Fix That Leak workshops (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/fixcarleaks.html) **


There is nothing more captivating than when young people help inspire and educate their peers. The

Washington sets model for prioritizing toxic chemicals

By Joshua Grice, Reducing Toxic Threats Section, Waste 2 Resources




Photo by Myra Klarman
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized its plan to identify priority chemicals under the federal Toxic Substance Control Act for further study. EPA drafted this plan in 2011 and gathered stakeholder input. Ecology is proud to be a trail blazer in prioritizing chemicals

A Safer Chemical Future

Elisa Sparkman, Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program

As administrative support staff, I am able to see the wide range of work that Ecology does through the many documents that cross my desk. I scour the documents for typos and formatting and wind up learning quite a bit!

Through my secretarial work, I have recently been learning about the agency’s role in federal legislation to reform the

Free Auto Leaks Workshops: How to not be a drip (from your car, that is)

by Justine Asohmbom, Puget Sound educator


** NEW 2013 Workshops! for more information about FREE workshops see Don't Drip and Drive - Fix That Leak workshops (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/fixcarleaks.html) **

An oil leak in your car can be a frustrating thing, not to mention the fact that oil that drips onto driveways, parking lots and streets can find its way to our local creeks

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