Cowlitz County, WA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- CCC Chapter 19.40, Recycling of Used Oil
- Covered sellers
- 1,000+ gal. oil or 500+ filters/year
- Sign duty
- Posted at point of sale, CCC § 19.40.030
- Container duty
- Sold at point of display, CCC § 19.40.040
- Education duty
- Pamphlet area required, CCC § 19.40.050
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, fine up to $1,000
- Enforcing agency
- Cowlitz County Department of Public Works
Summary
In unincorporated Cowlitz County, high-volume sellers of lubricating oil and vehicle oil filters must post a used oil recycling sign, sell household used oil recycling containers, and display recycling education materials, all under Cowlitz County Code Chapter 19.40, enforced by the Department of Public Works.
In the interest of public health, safety and welfare, and to protect the environment from any damage which may be caused by the improper disposal of used oil, and to facilitate the recycling of used oil as a valuable petroleum resource, the Board of County Commissioners in conformance with Chapter 70.951 RCW, deems it necessary to require certain sellers of lubricating oil and vehicle oil filters to post used oil recycling signs, display educational materials and offer household used oil recycling containers for sale to the public. ... Every seller in unincorporated Cowlitz County shall post and maintain, at or near the point of sale, a durable and legible used oil recycling sign furnished by Cowlitz County Department of Public Works. The sign will provide information on the importance of used oil recycling and the location of public used oil collection sites. ... Every seller in unincorporated Cowlitz County shall, at or near the point of display, provide for the sale of household used oil recycling containers. ... Any person who, after notice, violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed $1,000.
Full Breakdown
40, Recycling of Used Oil, targets the retail side of the used-oil waste stream. 951 RCW" to require certain sellers of lubricating oil and vehicle oil filters to post signs, display educational materials and offer household used oil recycling containers for sale. 020: a person, business or corporation that sells 1,000 or more gallons of lubricating oil, or 500 or more vehicle oil filters, annually to ultimate consumers for off-premises use. Smaller retailers fall outside the chapter entirely. Covered sellers in unincorporated Cowlitz County have three concrete obligations.
030 requires posting and maintaining a durable, legible used oil recycling sign at or near the point of sale, furnished by the Cowlitz County Department of Public Works, explaining the importance of recycling and listing public used oil collection sites. 040 requires offering household used oil recycling containers for sale at or near the point of display. 050 requires an area at the point of display or point of sale for pamphlets and other educational materials on recycling used oil or oil filters, also supplied by Public Works.
070 preserves the remaining sections if any part is struck down by a court. The chapter dates to Ordinance 93-171, adopted October 11, 1993, and has not been amended since.
Violations & Fines
CCC § 19.40.060 makes any violation of Chapter 19.40 a misdemeanor once the seller has received notice, punishable upon conviction by a fine of up to $1,000. Enforcement runs through the Cowlitz County Department of Public Works, which also supplies the required signs and educational materials, so a seller cited for a missing sign or container display can typically resolve the notice by complying before further action follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cowlitz County require every store to post a used oil recycling sign?
What sign does a covered seller need in unincorporated Cowlitz County?
Can a covered seller be fined for not offering used oil containers?
Does this chapter cover general household recycling in unincorporated Cowlitz County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cowlitz County
Compare Cowlitz County to another location·View the Washington trash & recycling overview
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