Washington’s Department of Ecology has fined Crystal Clean $1.04 million, alleging its Lakewood facility mishandled used oil, solvents and other hazardous wastes and altered shipping records. Regulators identified more than 120 instances of inaccurate or misleading paperwork and shipments sent to unauthorized facilities, and say the company accepted waste without the required permit. Crystal Clean says it will appeal; the case could go before the state Pollution Control Hearings Board.
Washington Hits Crystal Clean With $1.04M Penalty Over Alleged Hazardous-Waste Failures
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Washington state regulators have assessed a $1.04 million penalty against national waste-services company Crystal Clean, saying the firm’s Lakewood facility mishandled used oil, solvents and other hazardous materials and improperly stored hazardous waste near residential areas.
What Regulators Found
The Washington Department of Ecology says its review — covering roughly a two-year period — identified more than 120 instances of inaccurate or misleading paperwork, documented shipments sent to facilities not authorized to accept the waste, and cases in which shipping documents were altered without informing customers. Ecology also alleges that Crystal Clean presented itself as a designated facility for certain dangerous wastes even though it lacked the required permit.
Why It Matters
Used oil, solvents and similar industrial byproducts can contaminate soil and waterways if spilled, stored carelessly, or taken to sites that cannot manage them safely. Under state rules, hazardous materials must be tracked from "cradle to grave" so regulators, customers and the public can verify proper handling and disposal. Ecology officials say that when vendors alter shipping records or reroute materials without notifying clients, the chain of custody breaks down and safety is compromised.
"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."
Company Response and Next Steps
Crystal Clean Chief Executive Officer Brian Recatto said the company intends to appeal the assessment while cooperating with the department. If appealed, the case would be adjudicated by Washington’s Pollution Control Hearings Board as part of the state's formal review process.
Broader Context
Ecology described the penalty as the largest fine it has assessed against a single company so far in 2026. The enforcement action is part of a wider push by regulators and investigators to scrutinize how firms handle hazardous materials and to test the accuracy of corporate environmental claims. Recent, related enforcement and investigative items cited by regulators include allegations that W.L. Gore left a toxic pollution legacy in Maryland, findings that some approved e-waste plants in India were operating as "ghost" facilities, and a lawsuit in Washington challenging eco-friendly claims tied to single-use plastic by Waiākea.
The Department of Ecology says the dispute may proceed through the state's formal review process as Crystal Clean pursues appeal rights and the agency continues its enforcement activity.
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