Metal recycler penalized for air violations

The International Metals Reclamation Company, Inc. (INMETCO) has paid a $55,000 penalty to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to address past air emission violations from its metals reclamation facility in Ellwood City, Lawrence County.

The penalty was included in a consent order and agreement between DEP and the company, which is known as INMETCO, to settle outstanding particulate emission violations.

The agreement requires the company to install and test a baghouse, which will replace the current air pollution control device, to capture particulates. In addition, INMETCO will pay a monthly penalty of $3,500 until it demonstrates it is meeting the permitted particulate emission limit.

Recognizing that the current control device was not operating effectively, INMETCO submitted an air plan application to DEP in October for the new baghouse before the violations were identified. That plan was approved on March 28.

The $55,000 penalty was deposited in the state’s Clean Air Fund, which supports air quality improvement projects throughout Pennsylvania.

INMETCO recovers secondary material generated mainly by the stainless steel industry and recycles it for further industrial use. Additionally, INMETCO operates a nickel-cadmium battery and nickel metal hydride battery recycling program.