A plastics recycler in Oregon is facing a civil penalty of more than $30,000 for operating without necessary permits, the state Department of Environmental Quality said.
Agri-Plas Inc. of Brooks, Ore., has received notice of a $33,320 penalty for operating without both a stormwater permit and a solid waste permit, the state alleged.
The penalty is for alleged incidents that occurred in 2021, according to a notice of civil penalty assessment and order. The facility secured a solid waste permit in December 2022, and the state is ordering completion of an application for a stormwater permit, the state said.
Among the state's allegations, the facility had an "orange or bronze-colored liquid (process wastewater)" in a drainage ditch immediately adjacent to the facility. A retention pond on the site also had an oily, orange residue on the surface and contained thick sludge.
DEQ also cited Agri-Plas for "additional violations of water quality, hazardous waste and used oil regulations" but did not penalize the company for those issues, Oregon said in a letter to the company.
Agri-Plas "receives plastic containers that previously held food, pesticides and other materials at the facility for cleaning, processing and recycling," the state said.
The state wants to fine the company $18,000 for the alleged solid waste rules violations and $15,320 for alleged stormwater problems.