Apple Inc. has reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following multiple violations of federal hazardous waste laws at its Santa Clara facility on Scott Boulevard. The agreement follows two federal inspections and will result in a $261,283 civil penalty, as well as changes to the company’s waste handling and emissions practices.

EPA officials conducted inspections in August 2023 and January 2024 after receiving a public tip and formal complaint. Inspectors identified several violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which governs the storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste.

Among the issues cited were Apple’s failure to properly characterize hazardous waste, control air emissions from a solvent waste tank, and maintain required permits for long-term hazardous waste storage. The company also failed to label and date containers properly, comply with container management standards, and perform daily inspections of its hazardous waste tanks.

EPA officials confirmed that Apple has since corrected the violations. The company updated its waste classification procedures, installed a control device to manage emissions from the solvent tank, and addressed other operational deficiencies. These steps brought the facility back into compliance with federal environmental regulations.

Amy Miller, director of EPA’s Pacific Southwest Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, emphasized the importance of strict hazardous waste controls. “Hazardous waste regulations serve as critical safeguards for facility workers, communities, and the environment,” she said in the agency’s announcement.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, passed in 1976, provides a national framework for managing hazardous waste from generation to disposal. When followed correctly, the law reduces exposure to harmful substances and protects both public health and the environment.