News Releases from Region 03

Zippo Manufacturing settles hazardous waste violations at Bradford, Pa. plant

(PHILADELPHIA - August 25, 2015) -- Zippo Manufacturing Company will pay a $186,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its manufacturing facility in Bradford, Pa., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

EPA cited Zippo 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 costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

The alleged RCRA violations included storage of hazardous waste without interim status or a permit, operation of an unpermitted thermal treatment unit, failure to properly manage hazardous waste containers, and failure to maintain job descriptions of personnel managing hazardous waste.

EPA also alleged violations of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), a federal law designed to inform the public and emergency responders about hazardous and toxic chemicals in their communities. EPCRA requires facilities to submit annual reports on regulated chemicals, and routine and accidental chemical releases. According to EPA, Zippo did not submit annual toxic release reports for three chemicals - copper, nickel and chromium -- for three years when the facility used or processed chemicals in reportable quantities.

The settlement penalty reflects the company's compliance efforts, and its cooperation with EPA in the resolution of this matter. As part of the settlement, Zippo has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has certified its compliance with applicable RCRA requirements.

For more information on RCRA, see http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/index.htm
For more information on EPCRA, see http://www.epa.gov/osweroe1/content/epcra/