Recycler to pay $236K for hazardous waste violations and $642K to reduce organic air emissions

Recycler to pay $236K for hazardous waste violations and $642K to reduce organic air emissions

Oct. 8, 2024
At GRR’s facility in Attalla, Alabama, the company blends hazardous waste for use as fuel in boilers and industrial furnaces.

Giant Resource Recovery – Attalla, Inc. (GRR) has settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over allegations that the company violated federal and state laws governing the treatment and storage of hazardous wastes. At GRR’s facility in Attalla, Alabama, the company blends hazardous waste for use as fuel in boilers and industrial furnaces. The EPA and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) conducted a joint compliance evaluation of the plant in 2020, during which the EPA identified several potential violations of state and federal organic air emission requirements for hazardous waste tanks, among other requirements. 

To resolve the violations, GRR will pay $235,782 in civil penalties, as well as institute new measures to prevent future issues. GRR will also spend $641,831 to implement a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) to further reduce organic air emissions from its hazardous waste tank system. 

What people are saying

In a recent quote, Keriema Newman, Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, said, “It's important that companies treating and storing hazardous wastes follow applicable federal and state regulations in order to protect human health and the environment. Companies are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable environmental law.” 

EPA in the news

Akron Steel Treating pays $106K penalty for hazardous waste violations
Akron Steel Treating stored hazardous waste at the facility for more than 180 days without a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act permit.

Hawkins Inc. fined $51K for producing too much hazardous waste
The EPA concluded that the company was operating as an unpermitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility.

Intalco Aluminum fined $5.25 million for releasing hazardous pollutants into the air
The company failed to maintain and operate air pollution control systems at various times from 2017 to 2020.

Learn more about hazardous waste

How to Prepare for OSHA’s New HazCom Final Rule
A look at the changes to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and guidance on how to ensure compliance.

Hazmat Gear Considerations for Chemical Spills
One item does not fit all, especially when it comes to chemical hazards. Here’s what you need to know when reviewing your personal protective equipment and chemical protective clothing options.

OSHA Changes Process Safety Management Standard
Directive governs the safe use and storage of highly hazardous chemicals.

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

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