Stericycle Settles Environmental Violations at Its Medical Waste Incinerator

Stericycle Inc. has reached a settlement with the U.S. government to resolve alleged environmental violations at its medical waste incinerator in Utah.

Set forth in a consent degree with the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, the settlement requires Stericycle to comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations applicable to medical waste incinerators, pay a $600,000 civil penalty, and conduct a Supplemental Environmental Project. The latter directive mandates Stericycle to spend at least $2 million to purchase low-emitting school buses for a local school district in North Salt Lak, Utah (where its plant is located).

Announced on Jan. 29, the settlement resolves alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act and Utah air quality regulations. A U.S. Justice Department complaint alleges that Stericycle operated its waste incinerator in a manner that exceeded regulatory limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx), failed to properly conduct stack tests, and failed to comply with reporting requirements. EPA investigated the alleged violations in cooperation with the Utah Division of Air Quality, which concluded its own action for related violations several years ago.
 
“Medical waste incinerators must operate in strict compliance with our nation’s clean air laws,” said Jean E. Williams, deputy assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Stericycle has installed new pollution controls and made operational changes to remedy the violations alleged in the complaint.”
 
The school bus replacement is a Supplemental Environmental Project, or SEP, which is an environmentally beneficial project required in a settlement that is not otherwise required by law. Diesel emissions reduction SEPs have been expressly authorized by Congress. EPA expects the SEP in this case will replace as many as 20 buses, leading to significant reductions in NOx, carbon monoxide, and diesel particulate matter and substantial fuel savings.
 
NOx is a key component in the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant that irritates lungs, exacerbates diseases such as asthma, and can increase susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

“This settlement will benefit all who live in and visit North Salt Lake,” said EPA Acting Regional Administrator Debra H. Thomas. “In addition to NOx reductions at the facility, the settlement requires Stericycle to replace old, high-emitting school buses for a local school district, providing cleaner air for school children and nearby neighborhoods.” 
 
The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.