PHILADELPHIA (July 12, 2017) Vorbeck Materials Corp. will pay a $28,200 penalty, and donate more than $46,000 in emergency response and communications equipment to a local fire department, to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its facility in Jessup, Md., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.
Vorbeck performs research and development, and manufactures high-tech materials, including inks.
The settlement addresses compliance with environmental regulations that help protect communities and the environment from potential exposure to hazardous waste.
EPA cited Vorbeck for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid long and extensive cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.
EPA cited Vorbeck for violations including:
• Failure to make a waste determination on waste solvents and contaminated debris;
• Failure to label several containers of hazardous waste;
• Failure to properly manifest hazardous waste shipped off-site;
• Failure to keep containers of hazardous waste closed;
• Failure to maintain an adequate contingency plan; and
• Failure to provide a required hazardous waste training program.
In addition to the $28,200 penalty, Vorbeck will donate $46,900 in emergency response equipment, including innovative communications equipment, to the Howard County, Md. Fire Department’s hazardous material response team.
The settlement reflects the company’s compliance efforts and its cooperation with EPA’s investigation. As part of the settlement, Vorbeck has not admitted liability, but has corrected the violations and certified its compliance with RCRA requirements.
For more information about hazardous waste and RCRA, visit http://www.epa.govhttps://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/index.htm
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