Having current, credible data enables us to make timely decisions to manage the amount of hazardous waste entering our environment. This project also supports our regulatory reform efforts to reduce the reporting burden on Washington businesses. The team approached this project by first conducting a Data Needs Analysis jointly with business, government and environmental groups. The team researched options for re-designing report forms and processes for submitting them annually. Involvement of others Our primary customers in managing hazardous waste generation in Washington are businesses, state programs, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Environmental groups are interested in the reporting of annual hazardous waste trends.
The team worked with all four groups to ensure the system that was developed met multiple needs. Innovative Solution State environmental agencies are required by law to report annual hazardous waste information to the federal government. Ecology was one of the first in the nation to have an electronic system that interfaces between business and Ecology. Electronic reporting of environmental information is new in our state. It is being received with praise from business.