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RCRA Penalty Explorer

Search EPA hazardous waste enforcement actions by violation type, state, and citation to see what RCRA non-compliance actually costs.

Current Max Civil Penalty

$93,058/day

Top Violation

Waste Determination

2026 Focus Area

PFAS & e-Manifest

Search by Violation Type

Facility TypeLocationCitationPrimary ViolationPenalty
Regional Logistics Hub
Region 5 Ohio
40 CFR 262.18 / e-ManifestFailure to register and use e-Manifest system (mandatory since Jan 22, 2025)$32,400
Industrial Paint Shop
Region 4 South Carolina
40 CFR 262.15 / 262.16 / 262.17Missing "Hazardous Waste" labels on 12 drums$62,000
Systemic Waste Services
Federal HQ / Nationwide
40 CFR 262.20Systemic nationwide manifest violations$9,500,000
Chemical Manufacturer
Region 10 Oregon
40 CFR 262.17Systemic storage and permit violations$500,000
Tech Hardware Corp
Region 9 California
40 CFR 262.11Failing to make accurate waste determinations$261,283
Paint & Coatings Mfg
Region 4 Florida
40 CFR 262.17(a)(1)(v)Failure to perform and document weekly CAA inspections$213,750
Rubber Manufacturing
Region 7 Nebraska
40 CFR 270.1Operating without a permit (Unpermitted storage)$153,174
Plastic Packaging Co
Region 7 Kansas
40 CFR 262.11Failure to make hazardous waste determinations$182,879
Industrial Parts Washer
Region 4 North Carolina
40 CFR 262.42Failure to file manifest Exception Report$42,500
Aerospace Manufacturer
Region 8 Colorado
40 CFR 262.17Storage time limit exceeded (90-day rule)$93,058
University Chemistry Lab
Region 1 Massachusetts
40 CFR 262.15 / 262.17(a)(1)(v)Open SAA containers & failure to document weekly CAA inspections$112,400
Metal Finishing Plant
Region 9 California
40 CFR 262.11Failure to make hazardous waste determination$245,000
Automotive Parts Supplier
Region 5 Michigan
40 CFR 262.17Missing manifest return records (35-day rule)$68,200
Retail Distribution Center
Region 4 Georgia
40 CFR 262.17Failure to provide annual refresher training$42,500
Electronics Recycler
Region 6 Texas
40 CFR 262.11Failure to perform waste determination on CRTs$185,000

Records sourced from public EPA ECHO (Enforcement and Compliance History Online) data — each reflects an actual civil penalty. As of January 8, 2025, fines can reach $93,058 per day, per violation.

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Why are RCRA fines so high?

The EPA uses "Economic Benefit" and "Gravity" calculations to determine penalties. Even small administrative errors can scale quickly.

Daily Accrual

RCRA fines accrue daily. A 10-day storage delay isn't one violation—it is 10 violations, each carrying a potential $93k penalty.

Multi-Media Inspections

Inspectors rarely stop at waste. Once they find a labeling error, they will audit your Air, Water, and EPCRA records too.

Personal Liability

Under certain conditions, the EPA can hold individual EHS managers personally liable for knowing and willful violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about EPA enforcement and penalties.

How does the EPA calculate civil penalties?

The EPA uses a formula that combines the "Gravity" of the violation (potential for harm) and the "Economic Benefit" (money the facility saved by not complying). They then multiply this by the number of days the violation existed.

Can individuals be held personally liable?

Yes. Under the RCRA criminal provisions, corporate officers and EHS managers can face personal fines and imprisonment if they "knowingly" transport, treat, or store hazardous waste in violation of the law.

What is the BEN model?

BEN is a computer model used by the EPA to calculate the economic benefit of noncompliance. It ensures that a facility doesn't gain a competitive advantage by delaying or avoiding compliance costs.

Don't be a statistic.

RCRAReady provides the automated guardrails you need to prevent the administrative errors that trigger these audits. 100% cloud-based tracking for EHS professionals.

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