HARRISBURG – The Department of Environmental Protection has fined the Glidden Paint Company $39,500 after discovering numerous unlabeled containers of used paint solvents that were improperly stored at its Reading plant in violation of the state’s Solid Waste Management Act.
During two inspection visits by DEP staff last year – on March 13 and April 16 – the solvents were found in 55-gallon drums and listed as regulated hazardous waste.
The inspectors also found numerous containers without required labels designating the material as hazardous waste or with labels that misidentified the contents. Other containers with hazardous waste were not labeled with a required accumulation date.
Glidden also failed to inspect and maintain records of residual waste storage areas and equipment and failed to update its residual waste source reduction strategy within the past five years as required.
“Improperly storing and labeling industrial waste presents a risk to company’s employees and to the public,” said DEP Southcentral Regional Director Rachel Diamond. “Ensuring these materials are documented and accounted for is of the utmost importance.”
Glidden manufactures paints, coatings and enamels. The company had previously been cited for violations.
On July 15, 2005, inspectors found 20 drums of hazardous waste without labels and in poor condition. Problems with recordkeeping and labeling were discovered the following year on March 21.