Saturday, May 15, 2010

U.S. EPA Proposes $743,293 Penalty for Hazardous Waste Violations

On May 6th, U.S. EPA Region 5 announced that it filed an administrative complaint and compliance order against Mercury Vapor Processing Technologies Inc., also known as River Shannon Recycling, for alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at the facility located at 13605 Halsted Street, Riverdale, Illinois.  A $743,293 penalty is proposed.

According to EPA, the defendant was cited for violating Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") requirements for managing hazardous waste.  Specifically, the defendant failed to have a permit for hazardous waste treatment and storage.  The defendant treated large quantities of waste lamps including spent fluorescent tubes.  Often, these waste lamps contain mercury and are regulated as hazardous waste.

EPA has also ordered the defendant to immediately stop transporting, treating and storing hazardous waste at its facility unless it fully complies with RCRA requirements, and to conduct RCRA closure activities at the Riverdale facility.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

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