Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Timberlake Associates, L.L.P. and C-Store Contracting, LTD., owners and operators of a Truck Depot facility in South Burlington, were fined $20,000 for multiple violations of Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Rules.
Hazardous wastes are substances that contain chemicals that are corrosive, flammable, reactive or toxic, and have harmful effects on public health or on the environment.
Many sectors create hazardous wastes in Vermont, including small and large businesses, municipalities, and even households.
Businesses that generate hazardous waste need to register with the state and abide by laws that regulate storage of hazardous materials, maintenance of facilities, and training for staff handling waste materials.
Importantly, the rules require small and large quantity hazardous waste generators to coordinate with local emergency response personnel to familiarize fire and police departments with facility layout and hazardous waste types on premise.
During a hazardous waste compliance inspection in February 2019, DEC inspectors found hazardous waste materials being stored out of compliance with Vermont regulations.
Specifically, the facility was found to be operating in violation of multiple hazardous waste labeling, storage, management, and reporting requirements.
“Businesses that generate hazardous waste have the responsibility to operate their facilities and manage their hazardous waste in accordance with applicable regulations,” says Peter Walke, DEC Commissioner. “DEC is available to help hazardous waste generators understand their obligations to ensure the safety of the individuals managing the materials, and to protect public and environmental health.”
Timberlake Associates, L.L.P. and C-Store Contracting, LTD. agreed to pay a fine of $20,000 for the violations. This agreement was incorporated into a Final Judicial Order of the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division on March 9, 2021.
For more information about DEC’s Waste Management and Prevention Division, including information for businesses that generate hazardous waste, visit https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/hazardous.
Source: 3.24.2021 Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Agency of Natural Resources anr.vermont.gov