Massachusetts Company Returns to Compliance After Hazardous Waste Violations
BOSTON (June 9, 2026) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Nitto Denko Avecia, Inc. (Nitto Avecia), a Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing company, resolving alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Management regulations at two facilities in Milford, Massachusetts. The agreement provides that the company will pay a fine of $858,889 and swiftly come into compliance with hazardous waste management requirements.
"Safe management practices of hazardous waste and contingency planning with local responders are important to keeping our New England communities safe," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "This agreement with Nitto Avecia serves as a reminder to pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers about their duties and commitments to federal and state regulations that protect workers, communities, and the environment."
During a hazardous waste compliance evaluation of Nitto Avecia's facilities, EPA identified multiple alleged RCRA violations related to hazardous waste air emissions, design and installation requirements for hazardous waste tank systems, equipment inspections, waste and storage area labeling, and contingency planning.
To come into compliance, the company:
- Implemented a leak detection and repair (LDAR) program to identify, regularly inspect, and maintain records for all tanks and equipment which manage hazardous waste
- Performed daily visual inspections of all RCRA-regulated tank systems
- Updated its Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan to reflect current hazardous waste conditions and emergency contacts.
Background
Nitto Denko Avecia, Inc. is a pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing company incorporated in Delaware and based in Milford, Massachusetts. The company employs around 400 people. The company's operations include the manufacturing of oligonucleotides, quality assurance operations, research and development, and management of hazardous waste tanks.
Why this Matters
Poor oversight of hazardous waste management units (HWMUs), including storage tanks, poses a serious threat to human health and the environment. RCRA set up a framework to make sure that hazardous wastes are properly classified, managed, and disposed of. This includes strict schedules for the inspection and maintenance of equipment used to manage and store hazardous waste. EPA's regulations under RCRA protect the public and the environment from exposure to pollutants in hazardous waste, in part, by ensuring that equipment is maintained in good working condition and that facilities conduct routine inspections and appropriate oversight of said equipment.
More information is available on EPA's RCRA Laws and Regulations webpage.