by Aspen Ford, Washington State Standard
September 9, 2026
A national waste management company faces over $1 million in Washington state fines for alleged mishandling of used oil, solvents and other toxic materials.
Last week, the state Department of Ecology fined Crystal Clean $1.04 million after its Lakewood location was found to have violated multiple state laws. It’s the highest penalty Ecology has imposed on a single company so far this year.
Over two years, Ecology found violations that included more than 120 examples of inaccurate or misleading documents and shipments sent to unauthorized facilities. The department also said the company improperly stored hazardous waste.
Businesses often use waste service providers like Crystal Clean to transport hazardous waste to facilities permitted to properly dispose of it. The process requires businesses to track waste from “cradle to grave.” That requirement was broken based on Ecology’s findings that Crystal Clean altered shipping documents without notifying its customers.
“If you ship an important package, you expect the delivery service to know where it is, handle it properly and deliver it to the right location,” said Katrina Lassiter, manager of Ecology’s hazardous waste program. “Hazardous waste isn’t being managed correctly or safely if we don’t know where it’s going for disposal.”
Ecology also cited Crystal Clean for presenting itself as a designated facility for dangerous waste when it did not have a permit.
“We intend to appeal the penalty assessment, but we do also intend to fully cooperate with the department,” said Crystal Clean CEO Brian Recatto.
Assuming the company appeals, the state’s Pollution Control Hearings Board will handle the case.
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