DTG Enterprises Faces $3.4 Million Fine for Unauthorized Waste Collection

The Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has recommended a fine of almost $3.4 million against DTG Enterprises for operating without the necessary certificate to handle solid waste, the agency announced on Tuesday.

DTG Enterprises, also known as DTG Recycling, is the largest recycler of industrial, commercial, demolition, and construction waste in the Pacific Northwest. The UTC claims the company broke the law by collecting nearly 187,000 tons of waste in Snohomish County between January and June 2023 without the required certification.

A spokesperson for DTG Recycle criticized the timing of the complaint, which was filed on Christmas Eve, and suggested it could harm recycling efforts. They argued that requiring recyclers to have the same certifications as garbage haulers could lead to more waste ending up in landfills.

What Does the UTC Claim?

The UTC says DTG was granted a permit in 2017 that didn’t cover solid waste collection or disposal. Over the past three years, the commission received complaints about DTG’s operations. Despite warnings and instructions on how to comply, the company only submitted an application for the proper certificate in July 2024, the UTC said.

Under state law, companies need a solid-waste certificate to legally collect and transport waste for payment. An investigation found that DTG violated this rule 3,389 times by transporting waste without the certificate. Each violation carries a potential fine of $1,000, totaling nearly $3.4 million.

UTC staff also requested a court order to stop DTG from continuing these violations.

What Happens Next?

A hearing is scheduled for February 6 to review the complaint and decide on the next steps. DTG Recycle called the complaint “misguided” and plans to file a request to dismiss it, saying it’s based on incorrect information.

About the UTC

The Utilities and Transportation Commission oversees various industries, including waste collection, electric utilities, water, and natural gas services. Recently, the UTC also fined the telecommunications company CenturyLink $133,000 for issues such as long wait times and poor record-keeping.

 

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