UPS to pay EPA $5.3m, repair hazardous waste violations at 1,160 areas

The consent settlement with Atlanta-based UPS resolves a variety of alleged violations, together with failure to make land disposal determinations and to conduct correct on-site administration of hazardous waste. The corporate has three years to succeed in compliance throughout 1,160 areas and pays a civil penalty of $5.3 million.

UPS, whose acquainted brown vans are identified worldwide, generates hazardous waste regulated beneath the federal Useful resource Conservation and Restoration Act when a bundle containing sure hazardous supplies is broken, in addition to throughout day-to-day operations equivalent to upkeep, EPA mentioned.

“This settlement is one other instance of EPA’s dedication to defending communities from the risks of hazardous waste,” mentioned Larry Starfield, EPA’s performing assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance. The settlement requires UPS to handle unlawful actions in any respect of its amenities and “implement insurance policies that forestall future non-compliance,” Starfield mentioned.

UPS spokesperson Lauren Spangler mentioned the parcel-delivery service has long-standing procedures in place to deal with hazardous waste and is taking further steps to enhance its practices.

“The security of our workers and communities, and look after the environment are the very best priorities at UPS,” she mentioned in an e mail. “We’ll proceed to work with companies and authorities world wide to make sure the security of our community and the well-being of our workers and the shoppers and communities we serve.”

EPA officers in Texas-based Area 6 entered right into a settlement settlement with UPS final yr for amenities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. Following that settlement, EPA expanded its investigation into different UPS amenities throughout the nation and recognized comparable claims nationwide. UPS amenities generated, collected and provided for transport, remedy and/or disposal sure hazardous waste streams, together with ignitable, corrosive and acute hazardous wastes, EPA mentioned.

UPS has developed compliance methods at its Area 6 amenities and has begun comparable steps nationwide, EPA mentioned.

Below the settlement, UPS agreed to adjust to state and federal RCRA legal guidelines and laws, together with extra correct hazardous waste determinations, correct worker coaching and correct onsite administration of hazardous waste, EPA mentioned.