Plaze Inc., a company based in Pacific, Missouri, has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $205,791. This settlement addresses violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Plaze operates 16 locations across the United States that produce over 2,500 aerosol and liquid products.

The EPA conducted an inspection at Plaze's Pacific facility in November 2022. The agency found several violations of federal regulations designed to protect workers and the public from hazardous waste exposure. These violations included operating a hazardous treatment, storage, or disposal facility without a permit; failing to properly label and close hazardous waste containers; failing to control air emissions from equipment leaks; failing to perform hazardous waste tank inspections; and failing to minimize the risk of fire, explosion, or release of hazardous wastes.

Following these findings, Plaze Inc. has committed to taking necessary actions to bring its Pacific facility into compliance with federal regulations.

The EPA classifies Plaze as a "large quantity generator" of hazardous wastes. These wastes can be corrosive, toxic, or ignitable, posing potential risks of injury or death upon exposure. Federal law mandates that facilities generating such waste must identify it and follow safe practices for its generation, handling, transportation, and disposal.