Massachusetts DEP fines waste firm

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has announced it has penalized Allied Waste Systems Inc. $45,585 for solid waste violations at the company’s Howard transfer station in Boston. Allied Waste Systems is a subsidiary of Phoenix-based Republic Services Inc.

MassDEP inspected the Howard facility on five occasions from September 2015 through July 2016, responding to what it calls dozens of odor complaints. MassDEP indicates it observed numerous violations at the facility, including storage of waste for more than 24 hours and off-site odor impacts. In addition, the transfer station’s air handling system was functioning intermittently, improperly or not at all, with solid waste stockpiled on the tipping floor.

“The facility needs to maintain greater attention to detail as it pertains to air quality and solid waste requirements,” says Susan Ruch, deputy regional director for air and waste at MassDEP’s Northeast Regional Office. “Facilities with potential to create nuisance impacts on neighbors will be held accountable by MassDEP.”

Under a consent order, Allied is required to submit an application for a permit modification within 90 days, and agreed to follow the specified interim requirements until MassDEP reviews the application and issues an approval.

In addition to establishing an odor complaint line to field concerns, the company will install three high-speed doors at the facility.

Allied will pay $40,585 of the penalty, with the remaining $5,000 to be suspended provided it complies fully with the terms and all specified regulations until it has obtained a final permit, including the resolution of any appeals to the permit, according to MassDEP.