wastormwatercenter.org
WHAT ARE BEST PRACTICES TO PREVENT POLLUTION?
Set up your booth for success.
Bring spill kit supplies, train staff and clean up before you
leave. Make sure to inspect your mobile unit frequently and
fix any leaks immediately.
Train your staff in the best practices.
Do not empty sanitizing buckets, wash water, or other
wastewater onto the ground; make sure they are discarded
in an approved wastewater disposal system.
When transporting liquid wastes (water or oil) between
different locations throughout the event, make sure they
have lids on them to prevent spillage onto the ground.
Store all your supplies properly.
Store your supplies in covered areas and do not store over or
next to a storm drain.
Do ask questions.
If you have questions ask for help from our Pollution Prevention
Assistance program throughout the state. The Pollution
Prevention Assistance program can help with concerns you may
have regarding environmental impacts or concerns. Pollution
prevention assistance – Washington State Department of Ecology
(https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Guidance-
technical-assistance/Pollution-prevention-assistance)
Know and follow the rules for your location.
Remember to always check with your local health district/depart­
ment on acceptable practices and permitting requirements.
Health District/Department food program staff can help with
permitting requirements, operation set-ups and general food
safety concerns.
WON’T THE FARMERS’ MARKET TAKE CARE
OF MY TRASH AND OTHER WASTE?
It is your responsibility to check with your specific event
host on acceptable practices and permitting requirements.
Often the Farmers’ Market will have a system in place for
trash, however, a regular trash pickup is not a good place
to throw away liquid waste or oil.
I PASSED MY HEALTH INSPECTION,
SO WHY DO I NEED TO IMPLEMENT
POLLUTION PREVENTION?
Protecting the environment takes additional steps from protect­
ing human health. Ensuring your trash and other waste does
not impact the environment in your responsibility as a business
owner and it is the law. Failure to protect the environment can
result in fines.
WHY CAN’T I THROW MY MOP WATER OR
SANITIZER WATER INTO THE STORM DRAIN,
STREET OR GUTTER?
Storm drains are generally found in streets and parking lots,
and they connect to our rivers and creeks directly. Soaps,
degreasers and cleaners harm wildlife and pollute rivers
and creeks. This is why storm drain systems are only for
collecting rainwater and not any kind of waste water.
By using best management practices to keep your areas
clean, making sure that grease, food waste, melted ice
water, cooling equipment water and wash water are being
properly disposed, you will be doing your part to protect
our valuable water resources.
WHY CAN’T I JUST THROW MY USED GREASE
AWAY IN THE DUMPSTER?
No liquid waste should go into the dumpster/trash because it
can flow or wash away with rainwater to the stormwater system.
Used grease/oil should be properly disposed of or recycled
when possible.
To properly dispose of liquid waste, make it “dry” by mixing
with an absorbent like kitty litter.
WHAT DO I DO IF I SPILL MY CONTAINER
OF USED OIL OR GREASE THAT I WAS TAKING
TO THE DUMP SITE PROVIDED BY THE EVENT?
Make sure to clean up any spills immediately with your spill
kit or absorbent such as kitty litter.
If you have questions about where to get a spill kit, contact
your local Pollution Prevention Specialist and they can work
with you on where to get the spill kit. Most spill kit supplies
are available at common retail locations like Grainger or
Home Depot.
FARMERS’ MARKET & EVENT FAQ