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CleanCare Corporation, a hazardous waste management and recycling facility in Tacoma, has gone out of business. The Department of Ecology issued an enforcement action in August of this year, penalizing the company $486,000 for 57 violations of dangerous waste and water quality regulations and for a reckless spill into the city stormdrain that occurred in March. With this action, Ecology ordered the firm to comply with state environmental regulations.
CleanCare notified Ecology in October that the company would not continue to operate, and in addition, it would not have sufficient funds to adequately care for and close the site. Large volumes of waste oil, water, antifreeze and hazardous waste remain at the site. The combination of conditions of waste storage and inclement weather translate into potential threats to the environment. CleanCare leaves behind a hazardous-waste laden site with an inoperable stormwater system in the middle of flood season.
Because cleanup costs would overwhelm state resources, Ecology is handing the site over to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund Program. Ecology asked EPA’s Superfund Emergency Response program to step in and take charge of the site. EPA is conducting an assessment of the hazards at the site, as well as controlling stormwater and arranging for proper disposal of the waste inventory. EPA is currently estimating the potential cleanup costs and exploring cost recovery options.
Customers of CleanCare who have identifiable waste at the site have received notice with instructions on how to make arrangements for proper disposal. Any questions or concerns regarding the current waste inventory at CleanCare should be directed to Mike Szerlog, on-scene Coordinator for EPA, at (206) 553-0279.
Companies who have waste that would have been picked up and managed by CleanCare can contact Dave Zink within Ecology’s Hazardous Waste Program for a list of alternative waste management facilities. He can be reached at (360) 407-6752. Companies with solvent parts washer units belonging to CleanCare should make arrangements with another service provider to either pick up the waste or replace the unit.
Hazardous waste generators who are concerned about their current waste handler can contact the regional office near them to inquire about compliance status or to request the most recent inspection report for the specific management facility.
Last Updated October 1, 2001 |