Ecolab Inc. Fined for Hazardous Waste Storage and Management Violations in Joliet

EPA Cracks Down on Improper Waste Practices, Securing $423,308 Penalty to Protect Joliet Community

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Ecolab Inc. on June 24, 2025, addressing alleged hazardous waste violations at its Joliet, Illinois facility.

Ecolab, a provider of wastewater treatment solutions, will pay a $423,308.60 penalty for failing to comply with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations.

Violations included not obtaining a hazardous waste storage permit, neglecting storage tank and container management requirements, lacking proper contingency plans, and failing to maintain waste determination and training records.

Ecolab has since certified compliance with RCRA standards. “EPA is committed to protecting communities like Joliet from the risks of improper hazardous waste storage,” said Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel.

The settlement aligns with EPA’s initiative to ensure clean air, land, and water, safeguarding public health and the environment under the nation’s primary hazardous waste management law.