CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio – PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. is under fire from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) for a series of hazardous waste management violations at its Circleville and Delaware facilities. Following compliance evaluation inspections conducted in late 2023 and early 2024, the Ohio EPA issued multiple notices of violation, citing improper labeling, excessive storage times, and safety concerns.
Violations at Two Facilities
The inspections revealed that both the Circleville and Delaware plants, classified as large quantity generators (LQGs) of hazardous waste, failed to comply with Ohio’s strict hazardous waste regulations. At the Circleville facility, inspectors identified over 75 containers of hazardous waste stored beyond the 90-day limit, some for as long as 711 days. Similar issues were discovered at the Delaware facility, where hazardous waste monomers and resin organics exceeded permitted storage times by several months.
Additional violations included:
- Improper labeling: Containers of hazardous waste were missing required labels such as “Hazardous Waste” and accumulation start dates.
- Spills and maintenance issues: Flammable hazardous waste resin was spilled on the floor of Circleville’s Building 15 and left unaddressed until inspectors intervened.
- Aisle obstructions: Storage areas at Circleville were so overcrowded that emergency equipment could not have accessed certain areas in the event of an incident.
Penalties and Resolutions
In response to these findings, PPG Industries was ordered in November to pay $117,560 in civil penalties and develop a comprehensive plan to prevent future non-compliance. The company submitted documentation showing steps taken to address the violations, including:
- Labeling hazardous waste containers and marking accumulation start dates.
- Updating contingency plans and staff training programs.
- Transporting improperly stored hazardous waste to authorized facilities.
Inspectors acknowledged improvements, including cleaning spills, correct labeling, and proper waste transport. However, the Ohio EPA emphasized that non-compliance would continue to carry substantial financial penalties.
A Complex Waste Management System
PPG Industries operates a resin manufacturing plant and Energy Recovery Unit (ERU) at its Circleville location. The facility processes hazardous wastes generated from resin production, such as solvents, resins, and contaminated debris. Much of the waste is incinerated onsite, but operational challenges have occasionally led to violations. At one point in 2024, 127 partially emptied hazardous waste containers were stored for more than a year due to ERU operational issues.
The Delaware facility, primarily focused on paint and resin manufacturing, faced similar challenges. Inadequate documentation and labeling of satellite and central accumulation containers added to the list of violations.
Ongoing Monitoring
The Ohio EPA is closely monitoring PPG’s compliance efforts. Follow-up inspections revealed improvements in storage practices and waste labeling, but some unresolved issues, such as waste determinations for specific containers, remain under review.
The full EPA order can be viewed at the link here: ViewDocument.aspx
