Stericycle, Inc. Resolves EPA Investigation in Utah

Rhea-AI Summary

Stericycle has reached a settlement with the EPA regarding air emission exceedances at its North Salt Lake facility, which occurred between September 2012 and May 2013. The company will pay a civil penalty of $600,000 and invest $2 million in replacing older school buses to improve air quality in Davis County. This settlement follows a Notice of Violation from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality in 2014. Although Stericycle will cease incineration operations by July 2022, it has implemented significant improvements in environmental compliance and air pollution control since then.

Positive

• Investment of $2 million to replace older school buses will improve air quality.
• Implemented new air pollution control equipment has lowered emissions significantly.
• Independent studies confirm emissions present no health risk to the community.
• New leadership has enhanced compliance programs and environmental management.

Negative

• Civil penalty of $600,000 may indicate prior regulatory issues.
• Settlement relates to air emission exceedances from several years ago.

Company will pay civil penalty and provide funds to local school district to purchase new, efficient school buses to reduce pollution and protect the environment

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., Jan. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Stericycle, Inc. today announced it has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to settle a civil investigation into alleged air emission exceedances at its North Salt Lake, Utah, incineration facility that occurred more than seven years ago between September 2012 and May 2013.

As part of the settlement, Stericycle will contribute $2 million to support a Supplemental Environmental Project to replace older, higher-emitting school buses in the Davis County School District and will pay a civil penalty of $600,000 to the United States government. Since vehicles are one of the leading causes of air pollution, the Supplemental Environmental Project will improve air quality in the area and aligns with Stericycle's core purpose of protecting people, promoting health and safeguarding the environment.

The settlement with EPA follows an administrative settlement with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, which conducted its own investigation into the alleged exceedances and issued a Notice of Violation in 2014, the first and only citation for an emissions violation experienced in the facility's history.

Stericycle previously elected to cease incineration operations at the facility and relocate to a more suitable site. While incineration will cease in July 2022, this site will continue to be owned and operated by Stericycle as a collection and transportation facility.

Since 2014, the company has implemented a number of improvements at the facility, including new air pollution control equipment that has lowered emission levels beyond the already stringent limits for Hospital, Medical, Infectious Waste Incinerators. Results from two separate, independent Utah Department of Health studies have demonstrated that emissions from the facility present no health risk to the surrounding community.

Stericycle, under new leadership, has aggressively pursued improvements to its compliance program over the past several years across the entire company, including significant investments in team member training programs, new facility equipment, the development of expanded standard operating procedures, internal and external auditing programs, and other tools for environmental compliance management.

Stericycle is thankful that this matter has been concluded and looks forward to continuing to support the healthcare community in the greater Salt Lake region.

About Stericycle
Stericycle, Inc., (Nasdaq: SRCL) is a U.S. based business-to-business services company and leading provider of compliance-based solutions that protects people, promotes health and safeguards the environment. Stericycle serves customers in the U.S. and 17 countries with solutions for regulated waste and compliance services, secure information destruction and patient engagement. For more information about Stericycle, please visit www.stericycle.com.

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SOURCE Stericycle, Inc.

FAQ

What are the details of Stericycle's settlement with the EPA?

Stericycle will pay a civil penalty of $600,000 and invest $2 million to replace older school buses to settle a civil investigation regarding air emission exceedances.

How much is Stericycle paying in penalties for environmental compliance?

Stericycle is paying a civil penalty of $600,000 to the United States government as part of the settlement.

What actions is Stericycle taking to improve air quality?

The company is investing $2 million to support a project that will replace older, higher-emitting school buses in Davis County.

When will Stericycle cease incineration operations at its Utah facility?

Stericycle plans to stop incineration operations at the North Salt Lake facility by July 2022.

What improvements has Stericycle made in environmental compliance?

Stericycle has implemented significant upgrades to its compliance program, including new air pollution control equipment and enhanced training programs.