Press Release

Press Release  Southbridge Recycling & Disposal Park Assessed $85,323 Penalty by MassDEP for Violating Solid Waste, Air Pollution Control Regulations

For immediate release:
10/31/2018
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Media Contact   for Southbridge Recycling & Disposal Park Assessed $85,323 Penalty by MassDEP for Violating Solid Waste, Air Pollution Control Regulations

Edmund Coletta, MassDEP – Director of Public Affairs

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed a penalty of $85,323 on the Southbridge Recycling & Disposal Park, Inc. (SRDP) for violating solid waste and air pollution control regulations at the Southbridge Landfill.

MassDEP inspected the Southbridge Landfill on June, 14, July 23, August 3 and 9, and October 7 and 9, 2018 and observed violations of the Solid Waste Management regulations, including offsite odors, incomplete containment berms, incomplete cover of solid waste, failure to maintain adequate erosion controls, failure to notify MassDEP of  problems with the landfill’s gas collection system, failure to prevent contact stormwater from discharging to groundwater, and failure to follow through with the Air Operating Permit process.

In a recently negotiated consent order, SRDP agreed to comply with the applicable regulations and pay a penalty of $85,323. The company will also pay for a qualified third-party consulting engineer to be present at the landfill during the last two hours of operation on all days when waste related activities occur. The consulting engineer will be onsite to monitor SRDP operations to help ensure all protocols and permit conditions are complied with. Following each day’s activities, the third-party consulting engineer will report their findings to SRDP, the Town of Southbridge and MassDEP.

“Landfill operation have caused odors in the surrounding neighborhoods that are in violation of the company’s operating permits,” said Mary Jude Pigsley, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “The third party consultant will help alert SRDP and MassDEP when those protocols are not followed.”

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources. For more information regarding the MassDEP and its mission, please visit the agency’s webpage.

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Media Contact   for Southbridge Recycling & Disposal Park Assessed $85,323 Penalty by MassDEP for Violating Solid Waste, Air Pollution Control Regulations

  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 

    MassDEP ensures clean air, land and water. We oversee the safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes. We ensure the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills. And we work to preserve the state's wetlands and coastal resources.
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