Furniture Spa, LLC, which was fined $82,200 in April of this year by the Department of Ecology will only pay a little more than half that, according to a release sent out by the department.
According to the release, the furniture stripping operation will pay $45,200 over the next 30 months “under an agreement to settle an appeal of a larger penalty issued earlier this year for hazardous waste violations.” The company’s owner appealed the penalty to the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board and negotiated a settlement with Ecology.
Furniture Spa was fined for not properly storing and disposing of hazardous wastes.
The company agrees to pay an additional $8,800 if it fails during that time to comply with safety and environmental practices outlined in the settlement agreement:
* Provide Ecology a list describing all wastes generated at the company’s furniture refinishing facilities, how they are generated and the plans for their proper management.
* Inform Ecology of any contractor engaged to strip furniture.
* Allow Ecology to verify compliance with state and federal hazardous waste requirements through unannounced inspections.
“This settlement avoids expensive litigation and benefits Washington’s environment overall,” said K Seiler, who manages Ecology’s hazardous waste and toxics reduction program. “We’re pleased that Furniture Spa and its owners have committed to practices that protect public and worker safety and health, and the environment.”
The same owners own Ballard Refinishers. The former Furniture Spa location (4813 8th Ave NW) is now an annex of that business.
