EPA announces settlement with Louisiana plastics manufacturer

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Shintech Louisiana LLC has agreed to a $426,530 penalty to resolve environmental violations at two of its plants in Addis, Louisiana.

The violations stem from EPA inspections of the company’s polyvinyl chloride manufacturing plants in 2004 and 2005, which revealed improper handling of hazardous waste. Shintech has since corrected the infractions and met reporting requirements set by EPA and the State of Louisiana.

“Business and industry play a large part in our ability to protect human health and the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “We are pleased that Shintech has taken responsibility for its environmental actions and corrected its processes. EPA will continue working with our state and federal partners to ensure diligent enforcement of our environmental laws.”

The complaint against Shintech, filed on behalf of EPA by the U.S. Department of Justice, states that the company violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act by failing to identify hazardous waste, keep records of its hazardous waste, and obtain the required approval to manage and store hazardous waste. Shintech corrected these violations by shipping all hazardous waste identified during the inspections to approved treatment, storage and disposal facilities.

Shintech also violated the Clean Air Act through failures in reporting, record keeping, inspecting and conducting audits and/or submitting certifications.

Finally, from 2000 to 2002, Shintech violated the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act by failing to submit required toxic chemical release reporting forms. These documents have since been submitted by the company.

The complaint and agreement for the Shintech violations were filed in the Middle District of Louisiana, Baton Rouge Division.