EPA v. WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (APO) (RCRA HW)

Case summary

On December 20, 2024, EPA Region 10 filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order resolving violations of the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. The implementing regulations of Washington's Dangerous Waste regulations require generators of solid waste to determine if the waste is hazardous and to manage any hazardous waste in compliance with the RCRA requirements in order to protect human health and the environment. The EPA alleged that WWU generated hazardous waste at its Main Campus and its Physical Plant, both located in Bellingham, and failed to meet certain Washington Dangerous Waste regulatory requirements. Specifically, WWU failed to comply with universal waste requirements, failed to determine if a solid waste is also a dangerous waste, failed to properly label dangerous waste containers, failed to close dangerous waste containers, failed to comply with personnel training requirements, failed to accumulate dangerous waste in container, storing and treating dangerous waste without a permit, failed to label dangerous waste containers with accumulations start date, failed to conduct weekly inspection, failed to submit manifest exception report. Western Washington University agrees to pay a penalty of $18,302 for the violations.

Defendants (1)

• WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• WA WWU MAIN CAMPUS

  516 HIGH ST, BELLINGHAM, WA, 98225-9070

  Registry ID: 110012506172

• WA WWU PHYSICAL PLANT

  915 26TH ST, BELLINGHAM, WA, 98225

  Registry ID: 110042036187

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3007 — Record keeping, Inspection, Information Request
• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (RCRA HW)entered 2024-12-20

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $18,302

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2024-05-20Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2024-12-20Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2024-12-20Final Order Issued