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York Bronze Trade Company To Pay $205,000 to Settle Hazardous Waste Case

Release Date: 10/30/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – York Bronze Trade Co. will pay a $205,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at the company’s plant in Kingwood, W.Va. York Bronze Trade manufactures bronze grave markers and funerary items.

EPA cited the Preston County company for violating 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 the company for operating a hazardous waste storage facility without a permit. The company was also cited for shipping more than 360,000 pounds of hazardous waste contaminated with toxic levels of lead to an unauthorized treatment and disposal facility in Michigan called GMA Industries. In addition, the alleged violations include failing to train personnel; having a contingency plan in place; retaining proper records tracking hazardous waste from its generation through disposal for three years – these records are manifests — and failing to file exemption reports when manifests were not returned to the facility.

EPA has ordered the company to immediately comply with applicable hazardous waste storage, transport and disposal requirements. As part of the settlement, the company has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has agreed to certify its compliance with RCRA requirements.

This enforcement action was taken as a part of EPA’s enforcement initiative to ensure environmental compliance by metal finishers and foundries.