Washington construction firm fined $80K for illegal waste operations

The Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has issued a $80,000 fine to a Pasco, Washington, landscaper and contractor. 

As reported by news station KFLD, the UTC began investigating Huesitos Landscaping LLC in 2023 over reports the company was illegally collecting, transporting and disposing of construction and demolition (C&D) waste without the proper permits. 

According to the UTC, the investigation revealed that Huesitos transported 67 loads of commercial C&D debris to the Horn Rapids Landfill in Richland, Washington, between March 12, 2024, and Oct. 1, 2024. Additionally, the company allegedly provided 13 containers at residential construction sites for contractors to load and dispose of debris, activities that require a solid waste certificate. 

Huesitos was given a noncompliance order in September 2023. It agreed to stop solid waste activities but resumed them in 2024, prompting the UTC to begin its current investigation. 

The UTC says Huesitos is licensed as a common carrier under a commission-issued permit. Officials did not disclose if revenue was generated from the company’s solid waste operations.