EPA Reaches Settlement with Akron Steel Treating Co. for Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations

EPA Reaches Settlement with Akron Steel Treating Co. for Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations

September 20, 2024

CHICAGO (Sept. 20, 2024) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Akron Steel Treating Co. to resolve alleged hazardous waste violations at the company's facility at 336 Morgan Ave. in Akron, Ohio. Under the terms of the settlement, the company will address the alleged violations and pay a civil penalty of $105,855 to the federal government. The company treats carbon and stainless steel parts with heat to remove scale.

"EPA is dedicated to protecting communities such as Akron from the dangers posed by improper and unregulated hazardous waste storage," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. "This settlement with Akron Steel Treating underscores EPA's commitment to enforcing regulations and promoting environmental justice."

EPA alleged that the company stored hazardous waste at the facility for more than 180 days without a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act permit as required. RCRA is the nation's primary law governing the management of solid and hazardous waste, which helps protect human health and the environment.

EPA cited the company for the following RCRA violations:

• Exceeding the weight limit for hazardous waste storage.
• Failing to maintain a manifest system to track waste shipped off-site.
• Lacking sufficient aisle space in hazardous waste storage areas and failing to properly label hazardous waste storage containers.

The facility is in a community with potential environmental justice concerns. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

For more information about EPA's enforcement program, visit the agency's website.