Got a surprise visit from the EPA about our waste storage

At my shop, they said our used paint filters were stored wrong, which can leak chemicals into the soil. It's an easy mistake, but now we have to use sealed bins for all waste. Check your storage areas to avoid big fines and help keep things clean. Also, keep good records of how you throw stuff out.

3 comments

3 Comments

lucasg421mo ago

Yikes, never fun. Was the paperwork the worst part? That stuff piles up fast. We had a similar thing ages ago at a shop I worked at, same exact filters. The fines are no joke, so switching to sealed bins is smart. Good call on telling people to check their own spots.

the_olivia1mo ago

How did I ever think open filters were fine? We ran ours wide open for years because it was cheap and easy. Then one surprise inspection showed how much dust we were letting out, and the warning made my stomach drop. Seeing the real numbers on that violation paperwork flipped a switch in my head. Now a sealed system feels obvious, like why did I ever take the risk?

blair63026d ago

Honestly, open filters can be fine with the right upkeep and a good setup. @the_olivia's story shows what happens when maintenance slips, not that the design itself is bad. A sealed system just swaps one set of costs and hassles for another.