MACEDONIA, Ohio — On July 2, 2025, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Royal Chemical Co. following a June 2, 2025 compliance inspection at the company’s facility located at 8679 Freeway Drive, Macedonia, Ohio.
The NOV cites Royal Chemical for multiple violations of Ohio hazardous waste laws and regulations, including storing hazardous waste beyond the permitted time limit without obtaining the required hazardous waste facility permit.
According to the Ohio EPA, Royal Chemical is classified as a Large Quantity Generator (LQG), generating over 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month and accumulating over 6,000 kilograms onsite. The NOV states that hazardous waste was stored onsite for periods exceeding 90 days, including:
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A 275-gallon polytote containing sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate hazardous waste stored for 385 days.
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Multiple 55-gallon drums of acidic and alkaline hazardous waste stored for at least one year, with some drums dating back over two years.
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Additional drums labeled as oxidizers stored for more than two years.
The NOV specifies that the facility does not have the hazardous waste permit required under Ohio Revised Code §3734.02 (E) and (F) and Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules 3745-50-41(A) and 3745-50-45(A) to operate a treatment, storage, or disposal facility for hazardous waste.
Further violations noted include failure to:
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Properly determine whether certain wastes were hazardous.
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Label hazardous waste containers accurately with hazard indications and accumulation dates.
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Separate incompatible wastes to prevent dangerous reactions.
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Conduct weekly inspections of hazardous waste storage areas.
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Submit a manifest exception report for a delayed hazardous waste shipment.
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Maintain current training records for hazardous waste personnel.
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Provide documentation of emergency contingency plans to local responders.
The Ohio EPA recommended Royal Chemical promptly remove unlawfully stored hazardous waste to an authorized facility, evaluate unknown wastes for hazardous characteristics, update facility documentation, and submit a closure plan if required.
The NOV highlights that failure to comply with Ohio hazardous waste regulations may result in administrative or civil penalties.
The Ohio EPA requests Royal Chemical provide documentation of corrective actions within 14 days of receipt of the NOV.
The chemicals mentioned in the NOV, such as sodium hydroxide and oxidizers, are known under state regulations as hazardous wastes due to their corrosive and ignitable properties. Improper handling and storage can present risks to human health and the environment, which is why strict regulatory controls apply.
Royal Chemical did not provide a statement in response to the NOV at the time of this report.
For further information, visit the Ohio EPA Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization website at https://epa.ohio.gov/divisions-and-offices/environmental-response-revitalization.
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