Business Pollution Prevention

Old paint cans and chemicals.

 Pollution Prevention Assistance Logo     Small Changes Make a Big Difference Logo 

What's the Problem?

Pollution from business operations can harm our local creeks, wetlands, and lakes. Common issues may include:

  • Runoff from improper chemical and hazardous material storage
  • Leaks and spills from vehicles and business operations
  • Outdoor washing or cleaning

What can you do?

Kirkland's Business Pollution Prevention Assistance program provides free site visits, technical assistance, spill kits, and financial assistance for businesses to help prevent pollution. 

Learn how to dispose of your dangerous waste. 

Get A FREE Spill Kit or Site Visit

Bisphenol-free Receipt Pilot Program

What's the problem?

Bisphenols are chemicals found in common products like water bottles and thermal paper cash register receipts. They have negative health impacts.(PDF, 175KB)

People who come in frequent contact with these receipts, like cashiers and customers, are most at-risk. 

Bisphenol-free Receipt Pilot Program

The City of Kirkland wants to help your business replace your receipt paper with a safer alternative for you and your employees. 

Kirkland and the Department of Ecology are working together to provide free bisphenol-free paper for small businesses that meet certain criteria. This is a pilot program running from September 1, 2024 through November 15, 2024.

Your business is eligible if you have completed a pollution prevention site visit and are in compliance, and if you meet the following eligibility criteria set by the Department of Ecology.(PDF, 58KB)

If you wish to purchase Bisphenol-free receipt paper for your business there are several companies that offer phenol-free alternatives. The City of Kirkland provides this list for your convenience only and does not recommend any particular supplier:

 
For more information, contact:

Ryean-Marie Tuomisto, Water Quality Program Coordinator

Phone: 425- 587-3861 or Email: rtuomisto@kirklandwa.gov

More information about protecting yourself from toxics in thermal paper can be found here.(PDF, 6MB)

Use Best Management Practices (BMP's)

Source control BMP's are things you can do at your business to prevent rainwater from coming into contact with pollutants. Common BMP's include things like:

  • Covering piles of exposed soil to prevent erosion
  • Covering materials stored outside
  • Fixing leaking dumpsters or compactors
  • Having a spill kit on hand to deal with leaks and spills. 

For specific BMPs related to your business, Visit the King County Pollution Prevention Manual website. 

Request a Free Spill Kit or Site Visit

Prepare For and Prevent Spills

Every business that uses chemicals should have a spill response plan and cleanup supplies. A simple spill kit is usually enough to clean up smaller spills and can contain larger spills, preventing them from becoming larger and more expensive to clean up.

  • FREE assistance with spill response plan development and spill kits are available from Kirkland Public Works. Call 425-487-3800 or click the button below to request a spill response plan and kit for your business. 

Learn about Kirkland's Spill Program

Request a Free Spill Kit

Become an EnviroStars Green Business

Become an EnviroStars Green Business

envirostars-logo.jpg Kirkland businesses can gain recognition through green business program EnviroStars. Your business can get help going green by doing things like:

  • Protecting the storm drains on your property from pollution
  • Upgrading to efficient lighting
  • Proper storage, handling, and disposal of your hazardous waste.

Business Highlight

Ford of Kirkland Parts Washer

Ford of Kirkland is setting an example for environmental responsibility in the automotive industry by swapping out their old, solvent-based parts washer for a new, environmentally friendly water-based parts washer. 

Learn more in our latest business highlight


About the Pollution Prevention Assistance Program

The Pollution Prevention Partnership is comprised of representatives from cities, counties, and health districts. Funding assistance is provided by the Department of Ecology and allows the program to provide free hands-on-assistance to Small Quantity Generators (typically small businesses and organizations) who wish to improve their practices by reducing impacts to human health and the environment. 

This is accomplished through technical assistance visits that are designed to reduce or eliminate hazardous waste and pollutants at the source. A local pollution prevention specialist will meet with your organization to evaluate current activities and practices. They will discuss concerns, observations, solutions, and work directly to help solve common challenges around dangerous wastes, stormwater, solid waste, and spill prevention. This collaborative process limits liability, reduces risk, and improves work environments. 

If you would like to learn more about this program, contact Kirkland's program manager, Ryean-Marie Tuomisto

If you would like to schedule a site visit or request a free spill kit, click here 

To learn more about the statewide PPA program visit ecology.wa.gov/PPA