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Solid waste disposal
Learn about waste disposal for households and businesses that handle, manage, and process solid waste.
Where to take solid waste in King County
Where does it go?
- King County: "What do I do with..." -- Learn how to dispose any type of item.
- Seattle: "Where does it go?"
Local dump/transfer stations:
Household hazardous waste
- Household hazardous waste includes:
- cleaning agents
- pesticides
- solvents
- motor fuels
- crankcase oil
- oil-based paints
- wood preservatives
- banned or restricted-use pesticides
- chemicals used for:
- home repair and remodeling
- auto, boat, and equipment maintenance
- hobby and recreational use
- Use up hazardous household products completely before disposing of empty containers.
- If materials cannot be used, dispose of them at a designated household hazardous waste facility such as the Wastemobile, the Factoria Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Facility or the Seattle Hazardous Waste Facilities. Call the Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692, Monday through Friday except holidays, between 9 am and 4:30 pm for information on these facilities.
- Visit the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program website for additional disposal options.
Human fecal waste
- If you suspect you have found human feces on the ground, you can pick it up the same way you would other animal waste. There is likely not a service in your local government agency that will come pick it up.
- Get a bag, or double bag, put your hand in the bag(s), pick up the waste, wrap the bag around it, tie it off, and throw it in the garbage.
- Don’t put it in a toilet or compost – it goes in the garbage.
Solid waste permit applications
- Facilities that handle, process, and treat various types of solid wastes may require a Solid Waste Handling Permit.
- Solid wastes include, but are not limited to:
- recyclables, organic wastes
- biomedical wastes
- contaminated/dredged soils
- municipal solid waste
- construction and demolition wastes
- household hazardous wastes
- electronic wastes
- Vehicles transporting solid waste require a solid waste permit.
- To find out if your solid waste handling operations require a permit, or can operate under a permit exemption, please contact the Environmental Health office.
Biomedical waste
Biomedical Waste generators that handle waste such as human blood or sharps used in human or animal patients need to create a Biomedical Waste Management Plan that is available for inspection at Public Health’s request.
Waste screening
Public Health's Waste Screening Program reviews questionable waste generated in King County that will end up as municipal solid waste.
- The goal of the program is to keep dangerous wastes out of the solid waste stream.
- They figure out whether a waste is dangerous or not by using information given by the generator, from lab analyses, Safety Data Sheets, and other available information.
- Typical wastes reviewed include:
- contaminated soil
- sludges
- expired or off-spec products and chemicals
- filters
- blasting/grinding wastes
- empty containers
- manufacturing wastes
Waste Screening Program staff help generators with profiling their waste and figuring out if the waste can be thrown out in the garbage.
- For some wastes, staff will be able to give other options such as treatment, recycling, or reuse.
- Generators should complete the online Waste Screening Application Form and submit it to the Health Department.
- Email questions on testing requirements or further clarification to waste@kingcounty.gov.
- To request a clearance, please fill out the Waste Screening Application Form. Contact waste@kingcounty.gov if you have any questions.