Friday, November 11, 2005

 

American Landfill fined for taking hazardous waste

Canton Repository
Thursday, November 10, 2005

SANDY TWP. - Unknowingly accepting hazardous waste in March and May will cost American Landfill a $5,000 fine, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday.

American Landfill agreed to the fine after the EPA found out in June that the landfill took in 40 cubic yards of waste containing the remnants of sludge that resulted from an electroplating process involving nickel. The so-called sludge “filter cake” is considered hazardous and isn’t allowed into solid waste landfills.

The agency said the City Plating in Cleveland plant had changed its manufacturing process without American Landfill’s knowledge.

American Landfill, which is owned by Waste Management, has to review and change, if needed, its program to keep hazardous waste out of the landfill, the EPA said.

EPA spokesman Mike Settles said that American Landfill has stopped taking waste from City Plating, and it would be too difficult to find and remove the waste.

“It’s safely in the confines of the landfill and doesn’t pose a risk to anyone or the environment,” said Jerry Ross, Waste Management district manager.