EPA Removes Waste from Former Glycerin Traders Facility
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun removing hazardous waste from the former Glycerin Traders facility in La Porte, Indiana, where more than 700 containers of unidentified liquid waste were discovered in poor and deteriorating condition. Some containers were labeled with dangerous substances such as hydrochloric acid, organic peroxides and potassium nitrate, posing a serious risk of chemical release or fire. To prevent potential threats to public health and the environment, EPA teams are identifying, consolidating and safely transporting the hazardous materials off-site for disposal. Air monitoring will take place throughout the cleanup to ensure nearby communities remain safe.
The facility, which operated from 2010 to 2024 as a waste-materials refining and processing site, had a long history of violations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. After multiple noncompliance issues and the discovery of unsafe storage practices, the Indiana Department of Emergency Management requested EPA’s intervention earlier this year. The cleanup, expected to finish this fall, reflects EPA’s swift response to mitigate risks from improperly managed industrial waste and restore environmental safety to the surrounding area.
