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Department of Ecology News Release - October 5, 2009
09-244
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and Wholesale Printers in Clark County have signed an agreement that settles Ecology’s $18,000 penalty against the print shop.
The settlement calls for Wholesale Printers to pay $9,000 in installments. Ecology agrees to forgive $6,000 of the penalty provided the company doesn’t repeat the violation for the next two years.
In April 2009, Ecology issued a penalty to the business for failing to follow state environmental laws for handling and disposing of dangerous wastes. Ecology’s inspection of the print shop found that it failed to evaluate its printing wastes prior to pouring them into the sewer. Some of the wastes contained toxic chemicals and over time, those chemicals built up in sewer vaults located adjacent to the print shop. The sewer system isn’t meant to handle industrial wastes like those generated by Wholesale Printers.
The company appealed Ecology’s penalty to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board. Ecology agreed to talks to settle the appeal.
“Some of the wastes generated by print shops are harmful to people and the environment and need to be handled and disposed of in accordance with dangerous waste regulations,” said Ava Edmondson, Ecology’s acting section manager for the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program. “Wholesale Printers has been taking necessary steps to bring their practices in line with these important regulations.”
Ecology first inspected Wholesale Printers in November of 2008. Since that time, the company has responded to Ecology’s findings and has taken action to address concerns.
Ecology will monitor the print shop’s progress in following proper dangerous waste designation and disposal regulations.
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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239 (desk); 360-791-9830 (cell)
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