Glass Recycler Hit with Penalty for Multiple Air Quality Violations

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Owens-Brockway, a subsidiary of Ohio-based glass manufacturing company O-I Glass Inc. was fined for multiple air quality violations. The company’s Portland facility was fined $1,032,354 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

According to DEQ, the facility exceeded the permitted amount of particulate matter emissions as well as the permitted opacity. The particulate emissions consist of various toxic metals, which could have adverse effects on human health.

The Department has ordered the company to develop an immediate plan of action to reduce emissions. In addition, the company is required to submit new application to modify its permit by including necessary pollution controls.

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Nina DeConcini, DEQ Northwest Region Administrator stated that the best thing the company could do to come into compliance and ensure protection of the community is to install pollution controls at the earliest. She expressed concerns over the facility’s history of non-compliance.

The immediate plan is due in 15 days upon the final order. The modification application has to be submitted within 90 days. Upon receiving the permit, Owens-Brockway will have to install pollution control within one year.

Meantime, the company has an option to appeal the order within 20 days of receiving the notice. The order will become final only upon completion of 20 days or upon settlement of the order through negotiation or an administrative hearing.