Apple has reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to resolve claims regarding hazardous waste mismanagement at one of its facilities in Santa Clara, California. The agreement follows an investigation into operations at the company’s Scott Boulevard site, where federal regulators identified lapses in compliance with environmental safety laws.
The investigation began after the EPA received a tip from the public, prompting inspections in August 2023 and January 2024. Regulators discovered that the facility—which is involved in semiconductor manufacturing activities—had failed to meet several requirements mandated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These regulations will ensure that facilities will hazardous materials safely to save and preserve local habitats.
According to the EPA’s findings, the specific violations included failing to properly label and date hazardous waste containers and neglecting to characterize waste materials accurately. Perhaps most significantly, the agency noted that Apple had not adequately controlled air emissions from a solvent waste tank or maintained the necessary permits to store hazardous waste for extended periods.
In response to the EPA’s action, Apple has reportedly installed new air emission control devices and updated its waste management protocols to ensure full compliance with federal law. As part of the settlement, Apple will also pay a penalty of $261,283.
“Hazardous waste regulations serve as critical safeguards for facility workers, communities, and the environment,” stated Amy Miller, a director in the EPA’s Pacific Southwest enforcement division. The agency confirmed that Apple is now in compliance with RCRA standards at the facility.
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