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Kent hazardous waste company sparks fires, pays EPA penalty

Release Date: 11/29/2011
Contact Information: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov; Kevin Schanilec, EPA Office of Compliance and Enforcement, 206-553-1061, schanilec.kevin@epa.gov

(Seattle—Nov. 29, 2011) A Kent, Washington, hazardous waste management facility has agreed to pay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a $275,000 penalty for violating state and federal hazardous waste management laws. According to EPA, workers at Burlington Environmental caused two fires by mishandling hazardous waste and failing to comply with basic facility safety rules.

“Improper hazardous waste handling can lead to dangerous situations,” said Jeff Kenknight, manager of EPA’s Hazardous Waste Compliance Unit in Seattle. “Facilities need to follow basic rules to run facilities safely and protect surrounding neighborhoods.”

According to EPA documents related to the case, improper processing of lead-contaminated firing range filters and fertilizers started two fires at the facility in July 2009. The company was also cited for failing to store hazardous waste containers properly; storing incompatible wastes next to each other; faulty safety equipment and inadequate signage.

Burlington Environmental is a subsidiary of Philip Services Corporation.

The company violated provisions of its permit under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

For more information on RCRA, visit:
https://www.epa.gov/compliance/cleanup/rcra/index.html