8.1 Introduction

We must respond immediately to climate change and our actions must be bold.Introduction Chapter 8: Miscellaneous Waste Streams | Introduction

Miscellaneous waste streams include non-liquid waste with special collection, handling and disposal requirements not generally part of the mixed municipal solid waste stream. Typically, miscellaneous waste is a catch-all category often used to describe historically hard-to-handle materials. Materials can sometimes be considered both a miscellaneous waste and solid waste, meaning they are handled at the same permitted disposal facilities. Some wastes that typically have been considered miscellaneous wastes include contaminated soils, street sweeping residue, waste from cleaning manholes and storm drains, and industrial process wastes such as sludge and boiler or incinerator ash. Many of these miscellaneous waste streams require a characterization process to determine if they are suitable to dispose of as a solid waste. The primary focus of the process is to ensure the material is not a regulated hazardous or dangerous waste. Often, materials that can be disposed of in the solid waste system still require special handling methods.

“Special waste” refers to a class of wastes defined in state dangerous waste regulations. Special wastes pose a relatively low hazard to human health and the environment. Wastes that qualify must be treated as dangerous waste for purposes of pollution prevention planning. Special wastes are not considered dangerous waste, provided they are managed in accordance with the standards in WAC 173-303-073 and disposed, legitimately recycled, or treated on-site consistent with the requirements of WAC 173-303.