The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Akron Steel Treating Co. to resolve alleged hazardous waste violations at the company’s facility located at 336 Morgan Ave. in Akron, Ohio. As part of the settlement, the company will address the alleged violations and pay a civil penalty of $105,855 to the federal government. Akron Steel Treating Co. specializes in treating carbon and stainless steel parts with heat to remove scale.
“EPA is dedicated to protecting communities such as Akron from the dangers posed by improper and unregulated hazardous waste storage,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “This settlement with Akron Steel Treating underscores EPA’s commitment to enforcing regulations and promoting environmental justice.”
The EPA alleged that the company stored hazardous waste at its facility for more than 180 days without obtaining a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit, which is required by law. RCRA is the nation’s primary legislation governing the management of solid and hazardous waste, aimed at protecting human health and the environment.
The EPA cited Akron Steel Treating Co. for several RCRA violations:
- Exceeding the weight limit for hazardous waste storage.
- Failing to maintain a manifest system to track waste shipped off-site.
- Lacking sufficient aisle space in hazardous waste storage areas and failing to properly label hazardous waste storage containers.
The facility is situated in a community identified with potential environmental justice concerns. Environmental justice involves fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income concerning environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
For more information about EPA’s enforcement program or details on hazardous waste management under RCRA, visit the agency’s website.
