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Erie Plating Co. Settles EPA Hazardous Waste Case

Release Date: 10/4/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith 215-814-5543

Contact: Bonnie Smith 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – Erie Plating Co. will pay a $12,430 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at the company’s metal finishing plant in Erie, Pa.

According to EPA, Erie Plating violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which governs the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste . RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound disposal of hazardous waste.

EPA cited RCRA violations related to spent corrosive solutions, cyanide containing plating solutions, and methyl ethyl ketone solvent generated by Erie Plating’s electroplating operations. EPA alleged that the company was operating a hazardous waste storage facility without a required RCRA permit and failing to properly label hazardous waste containers. In addition, Erie Plating also failed to provide adequate hazardous waste training for its personnel and did not maintain training documentation.

The alleged violations were discovered during an inspection by EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

As part of the settlement, the company has agreed to certify its compliance with applicable hazardous waste storage and disposal requirements.