| DEP ANNOUNCES HAZARDOUS WASTE
SETTLEMENT
CYCLE CHEM, INC. TO SPEND MORE THAN HALF
A MILLION IN UPGRADES
(06/05) TRENTON - Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Acting Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today announced
that Cycle Chem, Inc. has agreed to spend more than half a million
dollars to correct hazardous waste violations and upgrade equipment
at their facility in Elizabeth. The company will also pay the state
of New Jersey $90,000 in penalties.
"Cycle Chem created a threat to public health and the environment
by failing to maintain a working fire suppression system and storing
waste unlawfully," said Acting Commissioner Jackson. "This
agreement achieves compliance while protecting Cycle Chem's neighbors
from exposure to toxins stored at this facility."
Cycle Chem operates a hazardous waste facility in Elizabeth. From
2000 to 2005, DEP cited Cycle Chem for numerous violations of state
environmental laws including operating the facility without an adequate
fire suppression system. The DEP also determined during this time
that Cycle Chem unlawfully maintained open containers, failed to
inspect and date containers, stored certain waste for too long and
stored ignitable waste too close to the facility's property line.
In addition, the DEP ordered the facility to make improvements
to their hazardous waste treatment areas to ensure waste mixing
and consolidation activities are conducted in chambers that have
appropriate groundwater protections and are enclosed to prevent
air releases.
DEP issued multiple penalty actions for the ongoing violations
resulting in Cycle Chem requesting an administrative hearing. In
a January settlement agreement between Cycle Chem and DEP, the facility
agreed to upgrade their fire suppression system in accordance with
recommendations from the State Fire Marshall, correct ongoing violations
at the site and reconstruct various hazardous waste treatment areas
to make them environmentally safe. The agreement establishes a time
schedule for each violation, but requires that all the upgrades
and improvements be completed in no less than 180 days upon DEP's
approval of the required engineering designs.
The state of New Jersey and the federal government regulate the
generation, handling, transport, storage and disposal of hazardous
materials and waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA).
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