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Bassett Mirror Co. Settles Hazardous Waste Violations at Two Plants in Bassett, Virginia

Release Date: 8/27/2004
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – Bassett Mirror Company, Inc., has agreed to pay a $133,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at the company’s two plants in Bassett, Virginia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced. Bassett Mirror cooperated with EPA and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VaDEQ) in the investigation and resolution of the alleged violations.

EPA cited the company for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. This law is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups by requiring the safe, environmentally sound disposal of hazardous waste.

The alleged violations involved the storage of hazardous wastes, including flammable, corrosive, and lead wastes generated during the facilities= manufacture of glass products, metal and wooden furniture. EPA and VaDEQ inspections in April and July of 2003 revealed the following violations of hazardous waste regulations: storage of hazardous waste for greater than ninety days; storage of hazardous waste in open, undated, and improperly labeled containers; failure to have an appropriate hazardous waste emergency plan; failure to submit biennial hazardous waste management report; and failure to provide required employee training on hazardous waste management.

As part of the settlement, the company has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has certified its current compliance with applicable hazardous waste requirements.

Visit https://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/index.htm for more information about hazardous waste and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.