Sivyer Steel in Bettendorf has agreed to fines of $54,786 after a March 2010 inspection by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found violations of federal hazardous waste regulations.
According to the consent agreement with the EPA, Sivyer was operating as a "conditionally exempt small quantity generator," creating less than 220 pounds of waste per month at its plant.
Subsequent to the inspection, Sivyer shipped nearly 8,000 pounds of hazardous waste from its facility at 225 S. 33rd St. for remediation.
According to the consent order, Sivyer:
- Failed to make hazardous waste determinations.
- Failed to label used oil containers.
- Failed to store used oil in containers in good condition.
- Failed to repond to releases of used oil.
- Failed to label containers of universal waste lamps (metal halide bulbs which contain mercury).
- Accumulated waste metal halide lamps in excess of one year.
- Failed to document length of time the waste lamps had been stored on site.
- Failed to maintain waste lamps in closed containers.
- Failed to train employees on the waste lamp handling/disposal.
CLICK HERE to view the entire consent agreement between Sivyer and the EPA.
Because they contain mercury, metal halide lamps are classified as "universal waste" requiring special handling, storage and disposal.
The consent order was issued Friday, Sept. 23.
The foundry has 253 full-time employees.
A month after the EPA inspection, in April 2010, Sivyer signed a joint manufacturing agreement with the Rock Island Arsenal.
