Container Firm Agrees to Penalty

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with National Container Group, LLC, for violating hazardous waste regulations at a plastic drum recycling operation in Cleveland. The settlement includes payment of a $50,000 civil penalty.

Last February, the Ohio EPA conducted an inspection and identified several violations of Ohio's hazardous waste laws and rules. Violations include:

failing to evaluate wastes generated at the facility to determine if they are hazardous; failure to maintain a contingency plan for emergency response; failing to inspect and maintain spill control equipment; failing to maintain adequate aisle space in the hazardous waste accumulation area; operating an unpermitted thermal treatment system to evaporate waste water; and causing a listed hazardous waste to be transported to an unpermitted facility.

There was no evidence of any release at the facility and the drum recycling operation is no longer located there, as the company has closed the facility location.

The $50,000 civil penalty will be deposited in the hazardous waste cleanup fund which is administered by Ohio EPA.