The president of Integrated Plastics Solutions, a plastics recycling company located in El Dorado, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to mishandling waste chemicals and agreed to pay more than $118,000 in restitution to the EPA.
Brian Riley, president of Integrated Plastics Solutions, pleaded guilty to one count of negligent exposure to a hazardous air pollutant. In his plea, Riley admitted the company stored hazardous wastes at its facility in the form of paints, solvents and other chemicals. The paints and solvents contained ethyl benzene, which is classified as a hazardous air pollutant.
After becoming aware that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment was investigating the company’s waste handling practices, Riley allowed some paints and solvents to be dumped on IPS’ grounds, releasing ethyl benzene and exposing employees to the risk of flash fire and explosion.
Riley faces a maximum penalty of a year in federal prison and a fine up to $100,000.