The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have announced a settlement with Stericycle, Inc. for violations related to hazardous waste management. The company has agreed to pay a $9.5 million civil penalty for failing to comply with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) from May 2014 through April 2020.
Stericycle's violations involved improper management of hazardous waste, inaccurate record-keeping, and delays in submitting information to the EPA's e-Manifest system. The settlement awaits approval from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
"Stericycle repeatedly failed to ensure the proper transport, management, and storage of hazardous waste – a job that they were paid to do and entrusted to perform on behalf of customers nationwide," said Acting Assistant Administrator Cecil Rodrigues for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
Attorney Matthew Podolsky stated, "Today, we hold Stericycle responsible for flouting hazardous waste management requirements while operating a nationwide hazardous waste business and risking significant potential harm to human health and the environment."
Stericycle operated multiple facilities across the United States until it sold most of its hazardous waste business in April 2020. Despite this sale, Stericycle remains accountable for previous RCRA violations.
From 2014 until the sale date, Stericycle was found routinely violating RCRA requirements by losing track of hazardous waste during transportation, sending it to incorrect disposal facilities or delivering shipments without necessary manifests. They also stored hazardous waste longer than permitted or transported it beyond allowed times.
The manifest system is crucial for tracking hazardous waste generation, transportation, disposal locations, and potential risks associated with such wastes. This ensures safe handling and provides critical information during emergencies like leaks or spills.
The EPA’s e-Manifest system serves as a database ensuring transparency in tracking all U.S.-generated hazardous waste shipments. Companies like Stericycle are required by law to submit complete data on time to maintain public awareness regarding these activities.
Further details can be found in the Stericycle RCRA e-Manifest Settlement Summary.
