019: Stericycle EPA Investigation

Situation

This case study profiles Stericycle Inc. (Stericycle), a Bannockburn, Illinois-based medical waste incinerator operator. During incineration operations, Stericycle violated the federal Clean Air Act and other laws. Stericycle permitted too much nitrous oxide to enter the atmosphere during operations. Prosecutors charged the company with CAA violations and violations of the Utah Air Quality Regulation (UAQR). To resolve the civil lawsuit allegations, the parties entered a settlement agreement called a Consent Decree.  Stericycle accepted responsibility for its Clean Air Act violations and worked with federal regulators to ensure the violations did not reoccur. 

The information in this case study comes from a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release, an EPA press release, and a news article.