Aluminum Recycler Forced to Clean Up its Act

Aluminum smelter photo courtesy of International Rivers.

Showing that the federal and state governments won’t sit idly by while the aluminum industry pumps pollutants into the environment, the U.S. Justice Department in conjunction with 11 states have negotiated a consent decree with Aleris International Inc., requiring the Beachwood, Ohio-based aluminum recycler to pay a $4.6 million civil penalty to resolve violations to the Clean Air Act.

As part of the settlement, Aleris and 13 of its subsidiaries have committed to implementing environmental improvements and controls projected to cost about $4.2 million in the 11 affected locations (Goodyear, Ariz., Post Falls, Idaho, Chicago Heights, Ill., Wabash, Ind., Lewisport and Morgantown, Ky., Coldwater and Saginaw, Mich., Uhrichville, Ohio, Sapulpa, Okla., Loudon and Shelbyville, Tenn., Richmond, Va., and Friendly, W. Va.)

“This settlement, including the significant penalty, will help to protect human health and the environment by brining one of the country’s largest aluminum companies into compliance with the Clean Air Act’s rules for the industry,” said John C. Cruden, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s environmental and natural resources division.

“It will also serve as a notice to the rest of the industry that we will vigorously enforce the Act and rules,” added Mr. Cruden.

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