Major Grocery Chain to Pay $3.5M for RCRA Violations

A major US grocery chain faces a $3,500,000 civil penalty from US EPA for alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste regulations.
 
According to an EPA press release, the grocer failed to properly identify and handle hazardous waste at facilities in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. More specifically, EPA alleges that the company mishandled spent lamps, which are regulated as universal waste under RCRA.

In addition to the seven-figure civil penalty, the company will fund a supplemental environmental project (SEP) to educate other retailers about hazardous waste compliance, at a cost of $500,000.

Read the full EPA press release here.

US EPA’s Evolving Hazardous Waste Rules for Retail

This RCRA enforcement announcement comes as US EPA is developing a strategy to simplify the hazardous waste requirements for retail businesses.

In addition to EPA’s “RCRA Generator Improvements Rule,” which will make major updates to the structure and requirements of the hazardous waste regulations and is expected this fall, EPA is also exploring:  

• New rules for managing hazardous waste pharmaceuticals
• Standards for managing retail products like aerosol cans and electronics as universal waste
• Guidance for retailers and hazardous waste generators who manage aerosol cans
• Creating standards for “reverse distribution” of hazardous wastes from retail facilities

Read more about EPA’s plans for addressing hazardous waste generated at retail facilities on the EPA Connect blog.

RCRA Hazardous Waste Training

Meet US EPA’s initial and refresher hazardous waste training requirements at 40 CFR 262.34 and 265.16 when Lion Technology presents the nationally trusted RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Workshop in a city near you!  

October will be packed with RCRA training workshops in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Orlando, Nashville, Charlotte, Dallas, and Houston. Collaborate and learn alongside other industry managers who know the challenges you face. When you leave, you will be confident you know what it takes to manage your site’s hazardous waste from “cradle to grave” under RCRA. Plus, take home annotated, easy-to-use resources and get a full year of Lion Membership for complete compliance support. Learn more and see the full schedule here.

Tags: EPA, fines and penalties, hazardous waste, RCRA