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Apple Pays $261,283 to Settle EPA Case Over Hazardous Waste Violations at Santa Clara Site

Inspections followed a public tip, with regulators citing lapses in hazardous waste controls.

Overview

  • The EPA announced the Nov. 18 settlement and said Apple’s Scott Boulevard facility is now in compliance with federal hazardous waste law.
  • EPA inspections in August 2023 and January 2024 were triggered by a public complaint; the San Francisco Chronicle reports the tip followed a June 2023 complaint by former employee Ashley Gjøvik.
  • Violations included improper characterization of hazardous waste, lack of a storage permit beyond 90 days, uncontrolled emissions from a solvent waste tank, poor container labeling and dating, and missed daily tank inspections.
  • Apple modified solvent waste processes, installed an air‑emissions control device, and corrected management practices to resolve the cited issues, according to the EPA.
  • The facility sits next to apartment buildings and at least one resident reported illness; Apple said the issues posed no environmental risk and previously faced a $450,000 state fine in 2016 for separate violations.