Pittsfield Company Fined $15,000 for Environmental Violations
BOSTON, Mass. - The Massachusetts’ Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed Pittsfield Plastics Engineering, Inc., of Pittsfield, a penalty of $15,000 for violating state regulations governing hazardous waste and air quality.The violations, discovered during a MassDEP inspection conducted on September 28, 2007, included failure to notify MassDEP of hazardous waste and waste oil generation, hazardous waste management violations and operating without an Air Quality permit. Some of the hazardous waste management violations entailed missing signs and labels for containers of hazardous waste and waste oil, not clearly delineating areas where containers of hazardous waste and waste oil were being stored, failing to keep containers of hazardous waste closed, and failing to have adequate aisle space for the storage of hazardous waste.
“The proper handling of hazardous waste is a key component to reducing the risk of an accidental release to the environment,” said Michael Gorski, Director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. “Implementing actions as simple and inexpensive as properly covering containers and providing proper storage can go a long way towards this effort. In addition, obtaining the proper permits and registrations from MassDEP helps assure adequate oversight of these types of facilities.”
As part of a settlement agreement with MassDEP, the company will implement a hazardous waste reduction plan, and pay $5,000 of the penalty, with the remaining $10,000 suspended pending compliance with the terms of the agreement. The company has been working to address the compliance issues.
MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.
