EPA Fines Red Star Yeast Company LLC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations | US EPA

By inergency On Oct 30, 2023

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October 30, 2023

LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 30, 2023) – Red Star Yeast Company LLC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will pay $37,705 in civil penalties and purchase emergency response equipment for local responders to resolve alleged violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company generates large amounts of hazardous waste in its production of yeast for baking and industrial ethanol production, and failed to comply with regulations intended to prevent releases of hazardous waste, including:

Storage of hazardous waste beyond 90 days without a required permit.
Failure to keep a hazardous waste container closed.
Failure to inspect hazardous waste containers.
Failure to label hazardous wastes.

“EPA is committed to protecting communities from harmful chemical waste releases and leveling the playing field for companies that comply with the law,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “This settlement represents a win for the environment and the residents of Cedar Rapids and Linn County.”

Red Star Yeast Company’s settlement with EPA includes the purchase of protective suits and boots, a thermal imaging camera, chemical classifier strips, and hazardous waste containment systems to be donated to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department and Linn County Hazmat Team.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste.