Contact:
Fay Lim
Communications Supervisor
Fay.Lim@snoco.org
425-388-6413
Snohomish County Solid Waste Transfer Station Reopened After Hazardous Waste Incident Today
Garbage compacting service was interrupted for about four hours
EVERETT, Wash., March 28, 2018 – Snohomish County Solid Waste Transfer Station located near Paine Field has reopened this afternoon after a hazardous material spill occurred on the “tipping floor” where the garbage is dropped off. Four Solid Waste employees were transported to the hospital for monitoring. A few patrons who were using the facilities were escorted out of the building along with all employees.
The recycling section of the transfer station was reopened at approximately 10 a.m.
The Airport Road Recycling and Transfer Station (ARTS) staff reported a strong unusual odor and found a spillage of industrial cleaning solvent around 8 a.m. Approximately five gallons of heavy duty degreaser that a customer brought into the facility was located in two 2.5-gallon jugs. The Snohomish County Hazardous Materials team was brought in and secured the containers. Apparently one of the jugs had a loose lid resulting in the spillage.
A hazardous waste contracting firm was quickly brought in and cleared the spill allowing the transfer station to reopen this afternoon.
“This is one of the reasons we emphasize that chemical containers are sealed and disposing of hazardous waste properly – not in the garbage,” Snohomish County Solid Waste Director Matt Zybas said. “Fortunately our emergency management plan was executed successfully to minimize the exposure.”
About Snohomish County Public Works
The Snohomish County Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads; controls and manages surface water quantity, quality, and fish habitats; and oversees the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.