Hawkins Inc. Resolves Hazardous Waste Violations With $51,158 Penalty and Emergency Equipment Donations

Hawkins Inc., an industrial chemical manufacturer based in Camanche, Iowa, has agreed to a $51,158 civil penalty and the purchase of emergency response equipment to settle violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Following a May 2023 inspection, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified multiple regulatory failings, including the accumulation of hazardous waste for longer than the allowable 90 days and the absence of critical safety and response plans. As a result, the company was operating as an unpermitted hazardous waste treatment facility.

To comply with EPA requirements, Hawkins Inc. will also invest approximately $38,610 in equipment for local emergency responders, including the Camanche Volunteer Fire Department and Davenport Hazmat Department. The EPA has intensified its focus on overburdened communities like Camanche, where industrial operations pose heightened environmental risks to residents, to ensure adherence to federal laws and protect vulnerable populations.

The settlement underscores the EPA’s commitment to enforcing hazardous waste management regulations, as outlined by the RCRA, and holding companies accountable for non-compliance to safeguard both the environment and public health.