EPA v. RJ REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY

Case summary

AUGUST 4, 2025 - EXPEDITED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND FINAL ORDER The EPA inspected the Facility on December 5, 2023. Having found that settlement is consistent with the provisions and objectives of RCRA and applicable regulations, the EPA and Respondent have agreed to settle this action pursuant to 40 C.F.R. ? 22.18 and consent to the entry of this Agreement without the Respondent's admission of violation or adjudication of any issues of law or fact herein. The EPA alleges that Respondent violated the following requirements of RCRA, and the EPA approved and authorized NCDEQ hazardous waste management program found in the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Law, N.C.G.S. ?? 130A-17 to -28 and 130A- 290 to - 310.22, and the North Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 15A NCAC 13A .0101 to .0119. As the State's authorized hazardous waste program operates in lieu of the federal RCRA program, the citations for the violations of those authorized provisions alleged herein will be to the authorized State program. For ease of reference, the federal citations will follow in brackets. a. Respondent is a large quantity handler of universal waste (LQHUW), as it accumulates over 5,000 kilograms of universal waste in a calendar year. b. A LQHUW must clearly mark universal waste batteries, or a container or tank in which the batteries are contained, with one of the following phrases: Universal Waste - Battery(ies), or Waste Battery(ies), or Used Battery(ies). At the time of the inspection, Respondent failed to clearly mark 36 pallets accumulating universal waste batteries with one of the following phrases: Universal Waste Battery(ies), or Waste Battery(ies), or Used Battery(ies), in violation. c. A LQHUW must be able to demonstrate the length of time that the universal waste has been accumulated from the date it becomes a waste or is received. At the time of the inspection, Respondent failed to demonstrate the length of time that universal waste had been accumulated, in violation. d. A LQHUW must have sent written notification of universal waste management to NCDEQ, and received an EPA Identification Number, before meeting or exceeding the 5000 kilograms storage limit. At the time of the inspection, Respondent had accumulated 9,095 kilograms of universal waste. Respondent failed to send written notification of its universal waste management to NCDEQ, in violation. The EPA and Respondent agree that settlement of this matter for a civil penalty of THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS ($3,750.00) is in the public interest.

Defendants (1)

• RJ REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO. WHITAKER PARK

  1101 REYNOLDS BLVD., WINSTON SALEM, NC, 27105

  Registry ID: 110000345332

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• RJ REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANYentered 2025-08-04

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $3,750

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2025-08-04Final Order Issued
• 2025-08-04Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2025-08-20Enforcement Action Data Entered