EPA protects public safety by resolving claims of hazardous waste violations at Central Valley facilities
SAN FRANCISCO (May 13, 2025) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing settlements with Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. and Univar Solutions USA, LLC over claims of violations of hazardous waste regulations at their facilities located in California’s Central Valley. Both companies returned to compliance with safety requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and agreed to pay penalties, which total over $158,000.
“The improper management of dangerous substances poses a clear risk to public safety,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Josh F.W. Cook. “EPA is upholding the law and holding companies accountable, and we’re ensuring communities in the Central Valley are made safer as a result.”
Owens-Brockway manufactures glass containers and generates large quantities of hazardous waste regulated under the federal RCRA law. In January 2024, EPA conducted a routine hazardous waste inspection of Owens-Brockway's facility in Tracy, Calif., during which inspectors documented multiple violations of requirements for the management of hazardous waste. These violations included the failure to accurately determine whether a waste is hazardous; failure to minimize releases of hazardous waste to the environment, including hazardous waste dust that could be further transported offsite by wind or stormwater runoff; failure to maintain a complete, up-to-date contingency plan; and failure to maintain personnel training records. Under the terms of the agreement, Owens-Brockway agreed to pay a penalty of $47,836 and has taken actions to return to and certify its full compliance with federal law.
Univar Solutions, a blender of chemicals used in the agriculture industry, generates large quantities of hazardous waste regulated under the federal RCRA law. In December 2022, EPA conducted a routine hazardous waste inspection of Univar Solution’s facility in Fresno, Calif., during which inspectors documented violations of requirements for the storage of hazardous waste. These violations included operating without a permit to store hazardous waste for more than 90 days. Under the terms of the agreement, Univar Solutions agreed to pay a penalty of $110,801 and has taken actions to return to and certify its full compliance with federal law.
Background
Hazardous waste that is improperly managed poses a serious threat to human health and the environment. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, passed in 1976, was established to set up a framework for the proper management of hazardous waste. EPA’s RCRA regulations work to protect humans and the environment from exposures to pollutants in hazardous waste.
More information
Learn more about the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
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