Construction and Demolition Debris

Snohomish County Code (SCC 7.35.125) outlines how to properly manage and dispose of construction and demolition solid waste and recyclables.

When Garbage Disposal Stays Local, the Benefits Follow

Since Snohomish County receives no local taxes or general fund revenues to maintain its solid waste programs, it is important to keep disposal fees for waste generated in Snohomish County in the local solid waste system ("flow control") to cover the cost of these community programs and services.

Disposal fees paid at county recycling and transfer stations help fund programs like the county’s Household Hazardous Waste Program, Environmental Clean-up Team, education and outreach, closed landfill management, disaster debris planning, solid waste planning, and abandoned vehicle removal.

Recycling at a Construction Site

Separate garbage from recyclable materials if you decide to recycle Construction and Demolition waste. Place garbage in a separate labeled container “Garbage Only” and recyclables in another labeled container “Recycle Only”.

Codes Provide Clarity

Rules don't have to be complicated. Here are some easy guidelines to follow:

	Garbage: Garbage created in Snohomish County must be disposed of in Snohomish County. Take all garbage to county facilities. Commercially provided containers for hauling non-recyclable waste for landfill disposal must be marked with the words "solid waste for disposal," "landfill," or "garbage."
	Recyclables: If you choose to recycle at your project site, you are required to maintain separate, clearly labeled garbage and recycling containers. Know what items are accepted as recyclables and remove garbage before hauling. Recycle bins must contain less than 10 percent incidental waste by volume. Commercially provided containers for hauling recyclables must be marked with the words "recyclables" or "recycling" or display the universal recycling symbol ♻.
	Garbage Haulers: Use only state certificated or municipal-contracted haulers for collection of your garbage.
	Intermodal Containers: Intermodal containers are only allowed on project sites for disposal of asbestos containing materials and petroleum contaminated soils.

Hauling Solid Waste and Recyclables

• Solid Waste: State law restricts who can commercially haul solid waste for disposal to WUTC certificated waste haulers, city contracted haulers, and demolition companies hauling waste from their own demolition projects. Others can "self-haul" their own waste, including contractors, who can "self-haul" construction waste for disposal. In all cases, the waste must go to Snohomish County disposal facilities.
• Recycling: Recycling containers can ONLY be transported to a reclamation site/processor to be recycled. They can be transported to a recycling facility inside or outside Snohomish County at whatever rate is offered by the hauler/processing facility.  Note that state law allows materials that will be recycled to be commercially hauled by a wider range of businesses, including properly licensed common carriers, such as construction and demolition material haulers. Materials can also be "self-hauled."

Solid Waste Enforcement Responsibility

Snohomish County Solid Waste teams are here to help your business meet solid waste laws and regulations. At times, we must also serve as the enforcement body should an organization fail to comply with proper solid waste disposal practices. Snohomish County Solid Waste representatives work with the director of Public Works to enforce county laws and regulations. Our hope is that we partner with local businesses so that step isn’t necessary.

Learn More

Solid Waste representatives will be visiting job sites to provide education and information. For questions, contact Solid Waste staff (see sidebar information).